Two myths and one fact: The misconceptions about breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of those illnesses that has many stages to it. Not only does it have many stages, but it also has many misconceptions about it and how it works. If you are living with breast cancer, it’s easy to assume the worstcase scenario because of how frightening this sickness can be. Not only are there different stages of breast cancer, but there are many different names for certain breast cancers as well as certain causes and treatments. Since breast cancer, in itself is so vast, there’s no question as to why there are so many myths that circle around by word of mouth and through articles that can cause someone living with it a real scare. This is why it’s important to understand what the facts and myths are of breast cancer. The five stages of breast cancer

Classifying breast cancer in stages helps determine the best method of treatment and whether or not there is a chance to cure it. During breast cancer staging, you will find out how far the cancer has progressed. There are five different stages ranging from 0 to 4 in roman numerals – 0 being where the cancer is contained within the milk ducts and is noninvasive and 4 being metastasized

During the winter months, temperatures are cold and the sun is in hibernation. This can bring on increased stress and strain on your immune system.

Yep, it’s not just your imagination that you tend to get sick more often during the cold-weather months. While colds can strike at any time, they are more common in breast cancer (spread to other organs).

A doctor will determine what stage the breast cancer is based on the size of the tumor. A doctor will also check to see if the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, how aggressive the cancer cells appear to be when placed under a microscope, or if the cancer cells have a gene mutation to identify to which stage of breast cancer it has developed.

• Stage 0 is noninvasive breast cancer, meaning there is no evidence of cancer cells or non-cancerous abnormal cells.

• Stage 1 is invasive cancer where the cancer cells invade the surrounding breast tissue. This stage is usually classified into two subcategories, 1A and 1B.

• Stage 2 is invasive cancer where no cancer is found in the breast but instead found in the lymph nodes under the arm or the lymph nodes under the breast bone.

• Stage 3 breast cancer is invasive cancer where the cancer has spread to one or three axillary lymph nodes and is larger than

5cm.

• Stage 4 is an invasive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) such as the lungs, liver or brain.

Two myths and one fact about breast cancer

As stated previously, since this is such a complex type of disease, there are many misconceptions about breast cancer, how it works and what can happen when someone is diagnosed with it. Many times a myth gets heard before a fact, for example:

Myth: Most women who have breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer. This information is false seeing as though only 15 percent to 20 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of it.

Myth: You have to decide on a treatment option immediately after you are diagnosed. This statement is not applicable because you want to find treatment fast to stop any growths or spreading of the cancer; but finding the best treatment option for you and your body is the most important. This requires extensive research and working alongside your doctor.

Even with all the misconceptions, there are facts about breast cancer that are important to know.

Fact: The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Fifty

Five stress - reducing vitamin supplements

the fall and winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu activity also peaks between the months of December and February.

While all this news may tempt you to hide inside under a blanket until April, that’s hardly a realistic approach to thwart illness. Instead, wash your hands more frequently and avoid hanging out with friends who are sick. And consider giving your body an extra boost by adding a handful of winter vitamins and supplements to your daily regimen. By taking just a few extra pills each morning, you could be saving yourself literal headaches in the future.

Here are five winter vitamins (and supplements) you should take this season:

1. B-vitamins

Now more than ever, vitamin B is an essential vitamin to add to your daily diet due to its immune system-boosting benefits. Vitamin B1 has also been shown to help with heart function. Vitamin B6 is of particular importance as it supports protein and glycogen metabolism and along with vitamins B2, B3, percent of breast cancer patients are women over 60. This is a true fact that many people are probably not aware of. Though anyone can get breast cancer, this disease is primarily a disease of older women.

Why it’s important to know the truth

Knowing the truth about breast cancer can save a life. If you know how breast cancer works and most of its subcategories, then you can learn how to navigate it better. Learning what stage you or someone you know may have will help you determine which treatment options work best for that stage of cancer. This will also help you with some do’s and don’ts on what you should be consuming with your diet, how you should be exercising, what to expect during treatment and more.

Talking to your doctor, going online and finding proper and accurate research; and reaching out to support groups and organizations are all ways to find the correct answers you may be looking for. Remember, though, that there are myths out there about breast cancer so paying attention to the facts is more important.

our jobs.

B5, and B12 can help reduce tiredness and fatigue to support training intensity.

However, it is the benefits of, in particular, vitamin B-12 that makes vitamin B a must-have supplement during the winter months and plays a role in producing “happy” brain chemicals that can positively affect mood.

Moreover, low B-12 levels have been linked to depression. Depression and stress increase during the winter months, so vitamin B is highly recommended to keep you feeling spry and more hopeful during the winter. It’s also been reported that vitamin B has been found to reduce fatigue, which can be essential since most of us have been tasked with working from home, and have higher productivity expectations from

2. Vitamin C Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps ward off free radicals. It’s also known as a close friend of the immune system and has been known to assist in fighting off the common cold during colder seasons. Since we don’t naturally create vitamin C on our own, it’s essential to get it through our diets with green vegetables like broccoli, citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, and strawberries). Of course, supplements are a great source as well.

The recommended daily amount of vitamin C for men is 90 mg and for women is 75 mg.

3. Vitamin D

This is a fan favorite among physicians when advising patients to help strengthen their bones, as it helps our bodies absorb calcium easier. Recent developments have also found that vitamin D helps support our immune response, meaning a deficiency could lead to increased susceptibility to sickness. Diet and the sun are usually our main sources of daily vitamin D intake, so during the gloomy winter months, it’s essential to add supplements to our daily routines.

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February 23, 1868

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February 24, 1922 –

The home of Frederick Douglass made a national shrine.

February 25, 1853

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Stress - reducing vitamins

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The recommended daily amount of vitamin D for adults between the ages of 19 and 70 is 600 IU with a target of vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels of at least 30 mg/mL.

4. Zinc

This essential mineral helps the body’s immune system fight off viruses and bacteria—making it a true champion during the cold season. Zinc has also been found to help with acne, which can affect our self-esteem if not under control.

“Zinc has been shown in studies to be effective in preventing and reducing cold symptoms,” said registered dietitian LeeAnn Weintraub in an interview with Cardiff-SportsNutrition.com. “It helps prevent viruses from adhering to cell walls in the nasal passage and is involved in antibody production, an important immune system process.” If you aren’t already taking zinc and you feel like you’re getting sick, Weintraub said to start taking zinc supplements right away to “feel better sooner.”

The recommended daily amount of zinc for men is 11 mg and for women is 8 mg.

5. Probiotic supplements

These supplements help balance out the good bacteria in our guts, thus supporting our immune system in fighting off illness.

Since winter is the cold and flu season and can also exacerbate COVID-19 symptoms, it’s high time to strengthen your immune system with good bacteria. Probiotics have been found to help replenish the good gut bacteria and alleviate stomach troubles.

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