Breast cancer is one of the most common types of women’s (and sometimes it does affect men) cancer in the world. Breast cancer originates within breast cells, most often forming in the lobules (or milk producing glands) or ducts (which bring milk) of the breast. However, breast cancer may also develop in the fatty or fibrous tissue within the breast. Breast cancer becomes aggressive when it grows uncontrolled and moves to healthy breast tissue and to other areas of the body (i.e., lymph nodes). This article explains the diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer as follows: 1. Diagnosing breast cancer The following test procedures are used to detect an incidence of breast cancer: • Physical examination of breasts: The doctor conducts a physical exam of the affected areas to inspect for lumps in the breasts and the surrounding lymph nodes. • X-ray mammogram: An X-ray of the breast is known as a mammogram. This is an essential test that is done as part of the screening for breast cancer. If any kind of lump is detected in the mammogram, the patient is sent for further diagnosis to see if the lump is malignant. • Ultrasound imaging: An ultrasound can produce images from deep within the body.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moderate levels of activity for at least 2.5 hours every week can reduce the risk for high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, depression, colon cancer, and even premature death. The CDC accounts for gardening as a moderate-intense level activity and believes that those who choose gardening are likely to exercise for longer than those who choose high intensity activities like swimming. Some experts relate this to what is known as the biophilia hypothesis, an instinctual connection that we feel toward other living things. Almost everyone at one point or the other in their life, has admitted how they feel at peace, or calmer amidst nature. Whatever it may be, the connection between nature and the human mind is yet unexplored to its full potential but one thing is certain, activities that involve being with and around nature like gardening have a positive impact on our mental well being, as such: 1. Lower blood pressure Contact with nature has been shown to have positive effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension. Van den Berg and Custer found that gardening for a period of time led to greater levels of stress reduction than relaxing techniques like reading, using salivary cortisol as a measure.

The occurrence of allergy indicates that a substance or substances is/are perceived as harmful by the body because of which the body exhibits certain reactions. These substances are termed as allergens. There are many different types of allergies. If you are facing problems because of an allergy or you think you have an allergy, you should promptly contact your doctor, so that proper treatment can be administered. Mentioned below are some of the most common allergy types: 1. Food allergy Resistance to certain food items is one of the most common allergy types. When a person does not react positively to a particular food item, it could be that the individual has food hypersensitivity (FHS). 2. Skin allergy When the skin reacts to certain medications, plants, or even food items, it is known as skin allergy. This is one of the most common allergy types seen across all age groups. Skin allergy may occur as bumps, redness, or itching on the skin. This can further cause varying levels of pain. 3. Medicinal allergy Though medicines are known to treat diseases, they can at times be counterproductive too. Certain medicines produce adverse reactions to certain individuals. These are also termed as side-effects.

The entire course of treatment for breast cancer depends on the stage at which the condition is diagnosed. Various diagnostic techniques are used by doctors to determine the different stages of breast cancer. This then helps them chalk out a treatment plan. These diagnosis techniques can include biopsies, scans of the bones, X-ray reports, and physical exam. The reports of these tests allow the doctors to assign alphabets and numbers to every breast cancer stage. The different breast cancer stages at which the condition can be detected are: 1. Stage 0 If cancer is diagnosed at this stage, it means it has been diagnosed early and is non-invasive cancer. The cancer originated from the milk ducts or glands and hasn’t moved from there. Commonly, if in situ is used in your diagnosis, it means that the cancer is in its place. 2. Stage I When breast cancer is diagnosed at this stage, it is invasive. This means it is now able to harm the healthy tissues in the body. However, the cancer is still relatively small and most probably hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes. It may have only made its way to the sentinel lymph node: Stage IA At this stage, cancer has affected the fatty breast tissue.

Cancer treatments depend on the type of cancer as well as what stage it has reached. While some cancer patients receive only one treatment in the initial stages, most patients require a combination of treatments as recommended by a doctor or oncologist to completely eradicate cancer. Here are some of the most common cancer treatments employed by doctors: 1. Surgery Surgery is a procedure where the surgeon operates the affected organ to remove a cancer tumor. Either an open surgery or minimally invasive surgery may be performed depending on the type and reach of cancer cells. Surrounding lymph nodes may also be removed. 2. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy is one of the most common cancer treatments prescribed. It is administered by using high doses of radiation. This radiation targets the cancer cells and shrinks the tumors. In most cases, it may be combined with another treatment to keep cancer from coming back. 3. Chemotherapy In chemotherapy, drugs are used for killing off cancer cells. It typically needs to be combined with other treatments. Chemotherapy works by shrinking a tumor before it is operated. This is known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In adjuvant chemotherapy, cancer cells that remain after surgery are destroyed.