Introduction

Do you suffer from color blindness? Have you ever found yourself at school, work or elsewhere and discovered that you were wearing different colored socks or pants than you thought? If so, the answer may be yes.



A person with color deficiency may not be able to see the number 5 among the dots in this picture.

What are the main symptoms of color blindness?

Classic color blindness involves difficulty in seeing colors and the brightness of colors, coupled with an inability to differentiate between shades and other variations of similar colors. Usually the perception of red and green or blue and yellow are affected. There can be a lot of variation in symptoms, ranging from mild to complete and including greater or lesser difficulty in bright or dim light.

Why does color blindness occur?

In the back of your eyes, you have two different types of cells affecting your ability to detect light. One cell type is called cone cells; these detect color. There are three types of cone cells: those that detect red, green and blue. Our brain perceives color based on degrees of input from these cells. Any absence or malfunction in these cells can produce color blindness. It stands to reason (and is true) that different degrees of color blindness could result from the extent of malfunction to these cells.

Who is at risk?

• Most people with color blindness are born with it.
• One of 10 males has some form of color blindness.
• Women seldom suffer from color blindness, but those that do are likely to pass it to their sons.
• Color blindness is more common among those of Northern European heritage.
• Certain drugs, most notably plaquenil (a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) can cause color blindness.
• Certain medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, alcoholism, glaucoma, leukemia and sickle anemia increase the risk of acquiring color blindness.

Are there other symptoms?

Except in the most severe form, color blindness does not affect the sharpness of vision. In rare instances one may experience poor vision, light sensitivity, involuntary rapid eye movement and visualization of everything as shades of gray. These symptoms aren’t likely to occur suddenly, so you’d have ample opportunity to see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) prior to this level of malfunction.

What is done about it?

Color blindness has no cure. However, treating the underlying cause is the best way to address most forms. Also, you may be given special eye wear that improves color detection.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post Questions About Color Blindness appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

We all get concerned when it comes to things that damage or put our vision in danger. As such, you should be aware of the most common condition causing visual problems in children. You know it as lazy eye, but the medical term is amblyopia. This occurs in approximately 2 to 3 of every 100 children. Unfortunately, the issue isn’t just its occurrence in children but its persistence into adulthood. Amblyopia is also the most common cause of visual impairment among young and middle-aged adults affecting one eye.

Here are some questions and answers of concern. These may help you understand some terms your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or optometrist uses with you.

What exactly is lazy eye?

Amblyopia (aka lazy eye) is the condition that exists when the vision of one eye is reduced due to that eye not working appropriately with the brain. The brain adjusts by favoring the other eye.

Let’s get medical for a moment. Appropriate eye function requires accurate interaction between the eyes and the portions of the brain necessary for vision. Each eye focuses light on the retina, which is located in the back of the eye. Cells within the retina stimulate nerve signals that travel along the optic (eye) nerves to the brain, which interpret and responds to these signals.

What are some common causes of lazy eye?

As noted, the correct function and interaction between the eyes and brain are necessary. Many things can go wrong along the way, all of which serve to cause unclear focusing. Here are some examples.

• Strabismus: misalignment of the eyes

• Cataracts: clouding of the front part of the eye

• Nearsightedness (myopia; better focus on closer objects) results from the eye being too long from front to back.

• Farsightedness (hyperopia; better focus on objects at a distance) results from the eye being too short from front to back.

• Astigmatism: condition associated with irregularly shaped eyes; produces difficulty focusing on both near and far objects

How is lazy eye treated?

Most of the focus on treating amblyopia involves catching it early and treating the child. It is during this time that the eye, the brain and the connections between them are developing, and the opportunity for improvement is greatest. Generally speaking, treatment involves forcing the child to use the eye with weaker vision. There are two common ways to treat lazy eye:

• Patching: Placing an adhesive patch on the stronger eye for weeks to months forces the brain/eye apparatus to use the affected eye. This stimulates more complete development of the needed areas in the brain and eye.
• Atropine: Using this eye medication causes blurring in the strong eye, forcing use of the affected eye. This works as well as patching.

Is this the same as eye drooping or lid lag?

No. “Lazy” eyelids (aka ptosis) are not the same as malfunctioning eyes. Lazy eye refers to the latter. That said, the two are not mutually exclusive.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post Questions About Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

The post Treating Halloween Mishaps appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

The post Halloween Health Tips appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

Today we address the challenges faced by intersex individuals. In the past, the term hermaphrodite was more common, but for many reasons that is no longer the case. In general, intersex speaks to a discrepancy between one’s external appearance and the internal genitals (ovaries and testes).

Let me start by discussing why this is so confusing. We want clarity and easy ways to categorize sexuality. However, the evolution of sexuality is such that there are at least four factors to consider:

• External appearance
• Gender identity
• Internal and external organs
• Genetics (chromosomes)

Intersex Categories

There are many ways in which those considerations interact with the others. As a result, a myriad of options and realities for separate individuals exists. To make things easier to understand, It helps to divide intersex into 4 categories.

• The 46 chromosomes, XX intersex (genetic female constitution). In this example, the external genitals appear male. Excess exposure by the female fetus to male hormones is a typical cause for this condition.
• The 46 chromosomes, XY intersex (genetic male constitution). In this example, the external genitals are incompletely formed, ambiguous, or even female.
• True gonadal intersex occurs with both XX and XY chromosomal structure. These individuals must have both ovarian and testicular tissue. This tissue could be joined together, or it could present as one ovary and one testis.
• Complex or undetermined intersex disorders of sexual development represent many other presentations. In these examples, there are no discrepancies between internal and external genitalia. Many chromosome configurations other than simple 46, XX or XY can produce intersex individuals. Examples include 45, XO (only one X chromosome), and 47, XXY, 47, XXX. In the latter cases, an extra sex chromosome is present. Still, there may be problems with sex hormone levels, overall sexual development, and altered numbers of sex chromosomes.

Future Conversations

This is a very complicated topic, and this introduction and identification of current efforts to classify means to offer a fundamental consideration. Intersex does not represent a “one size fits all” consideration. It also does not present a uniform set of treatment options. A basic level of understanding, empathy and tolerance for what is an anatomic challenge is very important to these individuals. Future Straight, No Chaser posts will address ethical questions, treatment options and mental health challenges faced.

Follow us!

Feel free to ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. As a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Receive introductory pricing with orders!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

Copyright © 2018 · Sterling Initiatives, LLC · Powered by WordPress

The post An Introduction to Intersex (aka Hermaphroditism) appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

I won’t overstate the case, but you should be aware that breast cancer in men does occur. That said it occurs at a much lower rate than it does in women. I know what you may be thinking, but it’s not that obvious. Both males and females have breast tissue. The big difference is women come equipped with a much greater support of certain hormones that stimulate development of breast tissue. You know this to be true because there are circumstances in which males, either through natural occurrence of abnormally high levels of those hormone levels or by stimulation (such as occurs with certain medicines), can develop noticeable sized breasts (called gynecomastia in non-cancerous circumstances and also present in breast cancer). This Straight, No Chaser offers information you should know to avoid a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Data on Breast Cancer in Men

How often does breast cancer occur in males?

• It is estimated that in 2018, approximately 2500 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• Less than 1% of all breast cancers develop in men.

Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for breast cancer in men?

• Age: Increases in age correspond to an increased risk. In fact, age in the greatest risk for men. In fact, the average age of men diagnosed with breast cancer is about 68.
• High estrogen levels: Estrogen stimulates growth of breasts, both in normal and abnormal circumstances. The following are circumstances that can produce high estrogen levels in men.
  • Obesity increases estrogen production.
  • Certain conditions or treatment with hormonal medicines that include estrogen.
  • Heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, which can result in a diminished ability of the liver to regulate estrogen levels.
  • Similarly, other causes of liver disease also result in higher estrogen levels.
  • You can also get significant estrogen exposure if hormones are used in the beef cattle you eat.

• Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic disorder involving the presence of additional X chromosomes (the “female” chromosome). Men with this syndrome have lower levels of male hormones (androgens) and higher levels of female hormones (estrogen), resulting in a higher risk of developing gynecomastia and breast cancer.
• Radiation exposure: Receiving radiation therapy to the chest before age 30 (such as occurs with treatment of Hodgkin’s disease) may increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

• A family history of breast cancer or genetic alterations: Other men in one’s family with breast cancer, or a breast cancer gene abnormality also increases the risk of breast cancer. Men identified as having certain abnormal genes, including BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (BR stands for BReast, and CA stands for CAncer) have an increased risk for male breast cancer of 80 times greater than the lifetime risk of men without BRCA1 or BRCA2 abnormalities. The message here is if you have a family history of breast cancer, consider getting checked for the presence of these genes.

Summary

If you are a male with significant risks, your next step is to have a conversation with your physician. In case you haven’t seen the rest of the Straight, No Chaser series on breast cancer, use the following links for information on the rest of the story.

• Five Myths Surrounding Breast Cancer
• Even More Myths Regarding Breast Cancer
• The Reach of Breast Cancer and Your Risk Factors
• This is How You Self-Assess For Breast Cancer, Part 1
• How to Perform the Breast Self-Exam
• Signs, Symptoms and Prognosis of Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer Treatment Options

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

The post Breast Cancer in Men appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

The next to last post in this series on breast cancer focuses on breast cancer treatment. Of course, there is no universal treatment of every breast cancer diagnosis. Everything is based on the specific type of breast cancer and the extent of progression upon diagnosis. Management usually involves a team approach in order to balance multiple considerations. As a result, this often leads to different treatment modalities being used together.

Breast Cancer Treatment Options

My goal today is to give you a general understanding for the different components of treatment, not to get into the nuances of individual treatment regimens. I certainly recommend you engage your personal physician and resources such as the CDC and the American Cancer Society. These will provide you with any and all additional, up-to-date details you may desire.

We treat breast cancer in several complementary ways. These include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, and radiation. Let’s review the basics of each.

• Surgery: Sometimes, the cancer advances to a level where it can only be removed surgically. Surgical options include cutting out the area affected by the cancer (a lumpectomy), removing the entire breast (a mastectomy), and/or removing the areas where the cancer will drain and spread to other parts of the body (lymph node biopsy/resection). Of course, options aren’t actually quite this simple. Efforts to spare skin and tissue and to retain a cosmetic appearance are important considerations. If the risk of breast cancer in that breast is sufficiently high, sometimes the other breast is removed. Additional surgical considerations include breast reconstruction after surgery, which may include one’s own tissue or a synthetic breast implant. These are options to be discussed with a plastic surgeon prior to breast cancer surgery.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of medication to kill or reduce the cancer. Chemotherapy may be given via an IV (into the veins) or by pills. Typically, it is given before surgery to reduce tumor size, after surgery or with other therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence, or as a primary treatment option.

• Radiotherapy (radiation therapy): High energy rays can be aimed at the cancer cells in an effort to kill them. Alternatively, radioactive material can be placed in the body.

Additional Breast Cancer Treatment Options

• Hormonal therapy: As mentioned in this post, certain cancer cells are stimulated by hormones to grow. Hormonal therapy blocks cancer cells from getting the specific hormones that assist growth. Different drugs in this class act in a variety of different ways, both direct and indirect, with the same end result of diminishing the ability of hormones to stimulate tumor growth. Yes, this treatment option would be better named hormonal blocking therapy. Hormonal therapy also can be used as a primary treatment option or after other treatment options to reduce the chance of recurrence.
• Biological therapy: Biological therapy serves to boost the body’s immune system to better help it fight the cancer. It also is of assistance in addressing immune-reducing side effects other cancer treatments may create.
• Targeted drugs: An additional treatment modality is the use of targeted drugs, which attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells. The most notable example of such an abnormality is the presence of a human growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a protein that helps breast cancer cells grow and survive..

Complications and Side Effects

Complications and side effects of breast cancer treatment are plentiful. These vary based on the treatment given. For example, surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection. Risks of radiation therapy include fatigue and a red, sunburn-like rash where the radiation is aimed. Also, breast tissue may be altered in texture and may appear swollen. Rarely, damage to the heart or lungs may occur. Common side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and an increased risk of developing infection. Finally, rare side effects can include premature menopause, damage to the heart and kidneys, nerve damage, and, very rarely, blood cell cancer.

Your Decision Making Team

The teams of medical, radiological and surgical cancer specialists who treat breast and other cancers do phenomenal work. Accordingly, you can do your part in reducing your risks and engaging in practices (breast self-exam and mammograms). This will allow for early detection. Remember, the days of increasing rates of breast cancer are behind us. Thankfully, breast cancer survivors abound! There are approximately 2.8 million survivors in the US. You now have the tools to be included in those numbers should (heaven forbid) you find yourself afflicted by breast cancer.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

The post Breast Cancer Treatment Options appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

A concerning reality is breast cancer risk factors tell the story of acquiring breast cancer. Even as a physician, I am left to think about the horror of risk factors. Most notably, simply being a woman brings a lifetime risk of acquiring breast cancer that’s 1 in 8. The only thing I can think of off-hand and relate to similarly is the risk for trauma being an inner-city minority kid. This risk of breast cancer is compounded by the reality that there is no way to prevent it. Thus, this must be emphasized early and often. Risk factor identification and reduction, coupled with early evaluation, detection and treatment are absolutely vital.

The Reach of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer contracted by American women (after skin cancer). It is the second most common cause of death from cancer (after lung cancer). More than a quarter of a million new cases will be diagnosed in women yearly. Approximately 40,000 women will die from complications of breast cancer annually, representing over 100 deaths every day.

In the event the previous information seemed like too much gloom and doom, understand that the tide has been stemmed. After more than two decades of increase, rates of new cases of breast cancer began dropping in 2000 and have stabilized. This is largely thought to be due to declining rates of post-menopausal hormone use. As you may know, such hormone use has been shown to increase the risk of both breast cancer and heart disease.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Speaking of risks, I don’t especially like this part of the conversation because it always comes across as if everything is a risk factor. There are still controversies about what is or isn’t a risk. As a result, patients end up confused and paralyzed into inaction. Therefore, I’ll mention just enough for you to understand and work with. If you have specific questions on what you’ve heard that I haven’t already addressed in the breast cancer myth posts (Parts I and II), feel free to ask.

There are risk factors you can’t change, like aging, family history and being a woman. Having these risk factors simply means you need to be more diligent in performing self exams. Also, it especially means you must seek early care for suspicious findings. Now, there are other risk factors you can minimize and are under your control. These include the following:

• Alcohol use
• Choosing not to breast feed
• Obesity
• Oral contraceptive use
• Postmenopausal hormonal therapy

The bottom line is your risk factors don’t cause cancer, and the absence of risk factors doesn’t ensure you won’t have breast cancer. For example, men contract breast cancer as well. What it all comes down to is you must be diligent in performing exams and getting evaluated and treated if something abnormal is discovered. We’ll discuss some of that next.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

The post Breast Cancer Risk Factors appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

More Breast Cancer Myths

6. “Breast cancer is preventable.”

• Unfortunately, this is not true.  All of our efforts are geared toward lowering risks, early detection and effective treatment.

7. “Obesity doesn’t affect my risk of getting breast cancer.”

• Not true. Post-menopausal women with weight gain are at especially increased risk.

8. African-American women have an increased risk due to hair straighteners and relaxers.

• This myth was taken head on and debunked by the National Cancer Institute in a large 2007 study including women with significant use over a 20-year period.

9. Caffeine causes breast cancer.

• Not according to the evidence. There’s even evidence suggesting a benefit, but the data on this is just as inconclusive as that suggesting a link to breast cancer.

10. Mammograms increase breast cancer risk due to the radiation load.

• The risks of radiation are so relatively insignificant that they’re mentioned as an afterthought compared to the benefits received from early and frequent evaluation.

Even More Breast Cancer Myths!

11. “Tight clothes and underwire bras will make me get breast cancer.”

• Not true. Neither has any connection to breast cancer.

12. “Small breasts give me less of a chance of having cancer!”

• Not true. Larger breasts are sometimes more difficult to evaluate, but that’s not the same as saying the risk of cancer is increased in women with larger breasts.

13. “These lumps I have are ok because I’m breastfeeding.”

• The fact you can discover normal changes in your breast tissue doesn’t mean that all lumps discovered while breastfeeding are normal. Get evaluated.

14. “Deodorant and tanning cause breast cancer, don’t they?”

• No. Cell phones don’t either. Tanning does increase the risk of skin cancer, but that’s a topic for another day.

15. “I heard having a baby when I’m older increases my risk of breast cancer.”

• Well, not just any baby, but having one’s first baby later in life is a significant consideration. Women who give birth for the first time after age 35 are 40 percent more likely to get breast cancer than women who have their first child before age 20.

16. “Breast cancer is a death sentence.”

• Most women survive breast cancer. Give yourself the best opportunity to do so by reducing your risks, learning the principles of early detection and getting prompt treatment if ever diagnosed. We’ll focus on these considerations in the next posts.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

The post Even More Breast Cancer Myths! appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.

Introduction

Breast cancer myths: are you afraid of them? Before I get into the details of what you need to know about breast cancer, it’s important to clear the table of some of the persistent breast cancer myths and fears that exist. The disease is tough enough as it is without the fear factor impeding our ability to fight back. Please be patient with me here. If you find these myths ridiculous, then good for you, as it indicates that you’re informed on the matter. Just understand that these are real questions that other physicians and I hear often. Remember, knowledge is power.

Breast Cancer Myths

1. “If a family member of mine has breast cancer, that means I’ll get it too.”

• It is only true to say that women who have a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk of developing it. Overall, only approximately 10% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family cancer, and most women with breast cancer have no family history. In other words, a family member with breast cancer isn’t a life sentence for you, and it shouldn’t stop your efforts to lower your other risks and focus on early detection and treatment.

2. “All lumps in my breast are breast cancer.”

• There are two important points for you to remember. First, any persistent change in the breast or armpit (axilla) should not be ignored. Remember, I will be stressing the importance of early evaluation for the purposes of detection. That said, only a small percentage of breast changes represent cancer (about 80% of lumps are benign). The really good news is if you learn and perform consistent breast exams, you will detect these changes earlier than anyone else and very often early enough to make a difference.

3. “Men don’t get breast cancer.”

• Unfortunately, I know this not to be the case within my family. Annually, there are over 400 breast cancer deaths among men from over 2000 new cases being diagnosed. Men should pay attention just as women do because unfortunately, in part due to the delayed detection, the death rate of breast cancer in men is higher than in women.

4. “I heard breast implants cause cancer.”

• No. There’s no increased risk with breast implants and breast cancer. However, you can legitimately say implants sometimes obscure the view of possible cancer on a mammogram.

5. “The risk of breast cancer is always 1 in 8.”

• Actually it’s 1 in 8 during a woman’s lifetime. However, the important distinction is the risk increases as one ages, from 1 in 233 in a woman’s 30s up to 1 in 8 across the board by age 85.

Follow us!

Ask your SMA expert consultant any questions you may have on this topic. Also, take the #72HoursChallenge, and join the community. Additionally, as a thank you, we’re offering you a complimentary 30-day membership at www.72hourslife.com. Just use the code #NoChaser, and yes, it’s ok if you share!

Order your copy of Dr. Sterling’s books There are 72 Hours in a Day: Using Efficiency to Better Enjoy Every Part of Your Life and The 72 Hours in a Day Workbook: The Journey to The 72 Hours Life in 72 Days at Amazon or at www.jeffreysterlingbooks.com. Another free benefit to our readers is introductory pricing with multiple orders and bundles!

Thanks for liking and following Straight, No Chaser! This public service provides a sample of http://www.SterlingMedicalAdvice.com (SMA) and 844-SMA-TALK. Likewise, please share our page with your friends on WordPress! Also like us on Facebook @ SterlingMedicalAdvice.com! Follow us on Twitter at @asksterlingmd.

The post Five Breast Cancer Myths appeared first on Jeffrey Sterling, MD.