Tag Archives: Women’s Health

Awareness to Five Reproductive System Cancer Signs, Symptoms and Treatment

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Sustaining overall good health for women includes awareness to the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy reproductive system and seeking treatment when necessary to reduce illness and disease which include cancer

During the childbearing years the wall lining of the uterus grows and thickens in preparation for pregnancy. If a woman does not become pregnant menstruation occurs as the thick wall lining releases excess blood flow through the vagina. Since the uterus is integral by proximity to the lymph nodes, nerves, and blood vessels, if metastatic uterine cancer is present, it can spread to other areas of the reproductive system.


ResearchGate
Sites of gynaecological cancers in the female reproductive tract.

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Metastatic uterine (endometrial) cancer is a type of cancer that originated in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and has spread to distant areas of the body. In general, uterine cancer can metastasize to the rectum or bladder. Other areas where it may spread include the vagina, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Knowledge of normal uterine function to include timely abnormal symptom diagnosis and treatment provides optimum prevention against cancer.

[Google 2022]

ResearchGate
Sites of gynecological cancers in the female reproductive tract.

A healthy uterine system is dependent on a normal cell replacement and repair life cycle. If this cycle becomes a mutated cycle; benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous) tumors may grow and spread throughout the body. Common tumors that may or may not impact a womans reproductive system and overall health: 1) Fibroids – These are common benign tumors that grow in the muscle of the uterus. They tend to reduce in size and may disappear once a woman reaches menopause. Surgery may be necessary with discomfort. 2) Endometrial Hyperplasia – “An increasing cell production which thickens the lining of the uterus. Those with abnormal bleeding before or after, or heavy menstrual periods should seek treatment. Hyperplasia mostly presents itself for women in their forties and is the most common cancer of the uterus lining.

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Cancer Symptoms Associated with Reproductive System


CDC
What Are the Symptoms of Gynecologic Cancers? | CDC

Risk Factors: Fifty and over – obesity and high blood pressure. You have endometrial hyperplasia.  Use Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause, osteoporosis, used also to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke. White women are more likely than African American women to get uterus cancer. If diagnosed with colorectal cancer you are at higher risk of uterus cancer.

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Recommendations for Uterus Cancer Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

1. Seek Treatment if it is difficult or painful to urinate, or if you notice unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge. To include pain during intercourse or pain in pelvic area.
2. Get a second opinion if prognosis is daunting. Cancer Info Services 1800-4-CANCER or Seek Official ABMS (American Board Certified Medical Specialists) 1-885-275-2267.
3. Have a pelvic exam scheduled for lumps, changes within size/shape of vagina, uterus, bladder, and rectum.
4. Ask your medical provider about Transvaginal Ultrasound -It is a high-frequency instrument inserted through the vagina. It echoes an image of the uterus endometrium wall. A thick wall may require a biopsy.
5. Pap Test – Cervix and upper vagina cell samples are collected and analyzed in a medical laboratory.
6. In order to stop malignant tumor growth, surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy), or treatment with hormones (progesterone) is the standard course of action.
7. Uterus Radiation Treatment – Outpatient external body therapy aimed at the tumor area 5 days a week for several weeks. Radiation application may necessitate Internal Radiation – Whereas tiny tubes containing radiation particulates are released through the vagina. Protocol may include progesterone therapy.
8. Increased protein during cancer treatment is important in the diet, it promotes healing, strength, energy & healthy body weight.
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Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET2023 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.org,

Fibromyalgia Phantom Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

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An unexplained pain disorder is commonly labeled as fibromyalgia. The worse thing about unexplained physical pain is the depression that comes with it and not knowing the cause of it and how to effectively alleviate, or remove the pain. In many fibromyalgia cases, mental health prescription drugs are often the treatment course.

Fibromyalgia is not considered a mental illness disorder… however, it is considered a real disorder once medically substantiated through examination and lab protocol diagnosis. It has been medically determined a depressed and anxious mindset and lack of sleep can cause an autoimmune response leading to inflammatory pain-causing symptoms throughout the body. It has long been a practice for medical professionals to prescribe anti-depressants and sleep aid medications useful in treating acute and chronic phantom pain.

Many who suffer from “medically unsubstantiated and undiagnosed pain cause” are three times more likely to suffer from depression and/or anxiety. In the absence of pain causing illness and disease and physical injury, the central nervous system(s) neuro and hormonal chemicals are often found out-of- balance. Body chemical imbalances are found to trigger an inflammatory autoimmune response in many patients. This chemical imbalance and inflammatory response have a direct connection to mood and bodily pain.

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The populace who tends to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia is women between the ages of 35-55. This condition rarely takes a toll on men, the elderly, or children, although it does occur. Women with fibromyalgia in the U.S. represent over 80% of those diagnosed with this condition. The total populace affected by fibromyalgia in the US represents 2% of our population. Fibromyalgia was formally known as fibrositis (a group of disorders characterized by widespread body aches and pains in muscle, connective tissue, joints and bone). Other triggers that can activate the fibromyalgia condition include exposure to dampness, or cold and certain infections. Pain is usually worse in the morning.

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Understanding Fibromyalgia Basics: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Although an exact cause of this condition has not been directly identified, it is thought that a major player to this chronic condition resides within the brains serotonin levels which affects mood. Lower levels of serotonin are known to stimulate depression and with depression psychosomatic illness often occurs. If anyone becomes depressed for a long period of time, the body gets sick and real physical pain is experienced. There seems to be a direct correlation between depression, lack of sleep, restlessness, disturbances in bowel function and super sensitivity with touch, whereas key trigger pain receptors are transmitted via the neurochemical highways from the central nervous system (brain). Fatigue combined with depression can trigger autoimmune infection, and related disease and pain anywhere in the body.

When mental and physical pain episodes go undiagnosed too long and without intervention, unhealthy habits and behavior often ensue, i.e., self-medication, sedentary and addictive drinking habits, etc. Unhealthy lifestyle untreated for long duration will lead to more psychosomatic neuro and hormonal chemical imbalances and pain and illness which can lead to other disease manifestation and cancer.

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If you have unexplainable acute/chronic phantom pain in any muscle, joint, tendons and ligaments, seek a medical opinion and request referral to a physiatrist as soon as possible before symptoms worsen.

Recall, “Fibromyalgia is considered a real disorder once medically substantiated.” However, it remains a challenge for many physicians to diagnose an exact cause of pain and treat effectively in some cases. Why? Unlike rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus there is no swelling, external-internal tissue damage, or joint-muscle deformity. The patient is healthy otherwise but suffers from chronic muscular pain and stiffness without swelling, deformity or bruising.

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When diagnosing fibromyalgia, the most common symptoms doctors look for: headaches, tender point pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue etc. Psychological symptoms: depression, sleep disturbances and mood changes. Referred lab findings may medically substantiate the disorder via Elevated levels of Substance P (Chemical Nerve Signal) and Nerve Growth Factor (Found in the spinal fluid) and lower levels of serotonin (Brain Nerve Chemical) from laboratory specimen fluid samples.

“The level of chemical in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) called substance P, which transmits pain impulses to the brain, is three times higher in people with the disease than in those who do not have the condition. This likely causes someone with fibromyalgia to experience pain more intensely” [emedicinehealth WebMD 2021]

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If you experience phantom pain and have not been diagnosed with a substantiated fibromyalgia disorder, read the tips and recommendations below and seek a medical opinion and diagnosis to get the help you need and deserve now.

10 Fibromyalgia Tips and Recommendations
1. See your doctor if you experience any combination of the symptoms listed above, or (a.) Experience chronic body pain for more than 3 months above and below the waist. (b.) Feel pain in at least 11-18 possible tender points when light pressure is applied. (c.) Experiencing depression and thoughts of suicide and/or high levels of anxiety.
2. Get help if a family member exhibits: Panic attacks, hostility, restlessness, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and physical pain.
3. If prescribed anti-depressants, a family member should watch for adverse character changes that lead to self-medication and unhealthy lifestyle habits to control pain. A two- month watch is recommended when prescribed anti-depressants to combat fibromyalgia.
4. Adverse behavioral risk is more prominent within adults under 24 and children.

5. Apply hot showers-spray localized area, use heating pads, whirlpool, hot compresses, gentle message to alleviate phantom pain.
6. Stretching and relaxation will alleviate stress, and biofeedback (doctor advisement on this one) will help ease contracted muscles causing pain.
7. The following prescription may be provided to ease pain. Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Cortisone and local anesthetic injections at pain trigger points.
8. Antidepressants per doctor recommendations, e.g., Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI).
9. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these interfere with sleep.
10. Get adequate sleep and general conditioning and exercise, proper nutrition.

Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2009-21 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.org,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Breast Cancer Survivability for Men and Women

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While breast cancer is predominately a woman’s disease – men also get it. The 5 to 10 year survival rate after breast cancer diagnosis for both men and women is ~90% to 80%.

While serving in the active duty Air Force during the mid-80s, I was shocked and surprised when my good friend Walter at the ripe old age of 19 years old was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and went through life changing surgery. The procedure at the time was very invasive… the cancer was found on both side of his chest. The surgery appeared to be a success – whereas all cancerous breast tumors had been removed… It appeared they had removed the cancer before it had a chance to metastasize (spread throughout the body).

I certainly had no ideal men were susceptible to breast cancer. Although rare, it does occur. To this date, I’ve wondered if he survived the ordeal by being cancer free – for life.

The following data should provide some relief in knowing breast cancer prognosis for both men and women is very survivable – when treated in a timely manner.

"The American Cancer Society estimates for breast cancer in men in the United States for 2020 are: About 2,620 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed and About 520 men will die from breast cancer " (American Cancer Society 2021).. 

if we’re going to compare cancer survivability apples to oranges… Unlike pancreatic cancer for instance, once diagnosed and under the best medical care for breast cancer treatment – there’s a 5 to 10 year survival rate after early detection (Cancer Mortality Rates, Wikipedia 2021). In the case of pancreatic cancer vs breast cancer prognosis… they are completely two different things. So don’t believe breast cancer is not survivable – early detection and treatment have saved many lives… with survivability averages above 5-10 years on average increasing.

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However, survivability prognosis with any type of cancer is greatly dependent on various lifestyle and biological factors, i.e., medical treatment, environmental stressors, hormones, compromised DNA, unhealthy behavior and sedentary habits, i.e., alcohol consumption, smoking, diet and drug abuse for example, overweight and diabetic medical condition, etc.

Men Like Women Should Take Action Immediately Once Signs and Symptoms of any Type of Cancer Appear Evident

Breast Cancer Prevention in America Should be Taken Seriously

The CDC (Centers for Disease and Control Prevention) 2017 statistics: Women 250,520 diagnosed with breast cancer and mortality rate at 42,000. “For every 100,000 women, 125 new Female Breast Cancer cases were reported and 20 women died of this cancer” (CDC 2021).

From 2013-2017, women diagnosed with breast cancer and death statistics

“From 2013-2017, in the United States1,222,059 new cases of Female Breast Cancer were reported among women, and 207,081 women died of this cancer. For every 100,000 women, 126 new Female Breast Cancer cases were reported and 20 women died of this cancer.

… “breast cancer remains the second–leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. The average lifetime risk for breast cancer in women is approximately 13%. In 2020, the American Cancer Society estimates 13% of newly diagnosed female breast cancer patients will die” (Greenville Journal 2020).

1999-2017 Statistics Show a Downward Trend in Breast Cancer Rates, However this does not Tell the Whole Mortality Story.

“In some cases, even though the rate is going down, the number of new cases and deaths is going up. This happens because the size of our population is growing and aging each year.” It appears when examining the statistical data over the last 20 years, there’s a slight upward breast cancer rate diagnosis and death trend occurring from the disease being off-set by life extending treatments and surgery. “5-year relative survival for Female Breast Cancer in the United States is 89.1%” (CDC 2021).

Women with Increased Breast Cancer Risk

Those with Increased Risk of Breast Cancer: 1) As a woman ages. 2) When a woman begins menstruating (young females are not immune). 3) Pregnancies near, or after 30. 4) Hormone (estrogen) replacement treatment. 5) 50 year family tree window of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer. 6) Alcohol consumption 7) Overweight 8) Ethnicity: Hispanic, Black, Asian and Pacific Islander women

Signs and Symptoms

1) Scaling, peeling, or flaking skin around the breasts with concentration around the nipples. 2) Changes in breast color or dimpling 3) Pulling in of the nipple 4) Mass or lump within the surrounding breast tissue that feels different. 5) Unexplained breast rash 6) Change in shape of breast. 7) Redness, or skin appears orange 8) Unexplained discharge of nipple.

A summary of treatments: A mammogram is the most common preventative nonintrusive test available to ensure breast health is not compromised and proactive treatment is taken immediately when necessary. Breasts are placed between two plates to be x-rayed, identifying tumors, etc.  Mammograms can detect tissue abnormalities that cannot be felt through self examination, but seen with x-rays. With early detection of breast abnormalities “it is more likely than not,” cancer won’t see the light of day.

If diagnosed with breast cancer, get a second opinion with procedural options. There are various treatments available: Chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs); radiotherapy (high energy x-ray kill cancer cells); hormonal therapy (tumor reduction); biologic therapy (cancer agent spread blocker). If biopsy of breast tissue is necessary and tests review the breast(s) positive with malignancy, inquire about conservative Lumpectomy (tumor removal) opposed to mastectomy; part-full removal of breast(s).

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Ill- Health Breast Cancer Prevention
1.Self examine for lumps, or thickening under arm, or change difference, ridges, pitting, redness of breast.
2.Get Annual mammograms starting at age 40 (Women), if a family member has been diagnosed with breast cancer, or cancer runs in family, etc., both men and women should seek medical opinion much earlier.
3.It is highly recommended all women between the ages of 20-39 get breast exams every 3 years.
4.Men diagnosed with breast Cancer, “Symptoms and treatments are similar. Typical age when diagnosed, 60-70.
5. Ask about various breast cancer diagnoses: Mammogram, Ultrasound, exam frequency, etc.
6. Ask physician about genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 and early detection testing with family history.
7. If a family has breast, ovary, prostate cancer, family should seriously consider screening.
8. Reduce weight, reduce alcohol consumption, stop smoking and increase physical activity-exercise.

Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2021 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.org  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.