Risk Factors in Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer fatalities in women throughout the world. A lot more men are also suffering and dying from the disease these days. Unfortunately, like other types of cancers, the cause of this type of cancer is still a mystery. Researchers have for centuries tried to find the connection between various drugs, lifestyles, genes and environmental factors and the disease. Their studies have come up with a list of risk factors which could increase the risk of a woman or man contracting the disease.

However, it should be noted that not all women or men who have these risk factors will suffer from the disease. In fact, there are people who have more than one risk factor who never suffer from this disease. There are also people who suffer and die from the disease though they did not expose themselves to any of the risk factors. These factors are simply supposed to guide an individual and their doctor to be more vigilant so that they can be able to diagnose and treat the disease as early as possible.

The first risk factor for this type of cancer is genetic disposition. Individuals whose mothers, sisters or other relatives suffered from breast cancer are more likely to suffer from the disease themselves. This is especially the case if the relative suffered from this disease before they were forty years old. The second risk factor is radiation therapy to the chest. Individuals who have radiation therapy done on their chest, especially before the age of thirty are at a higher risk of contracting this type of cancer.

The menstrual history of a woman is also linked to formation of cancer cells on their breast in later years. Women who had their first period before they were twelve years old are at a higher risk of getting this disease. Also, women who had their first child when they were past forty years have an increased chance of getting this type of cancer. Women who have never had any children also face a greater danger of contracting this disease.

More people get breast cancer during their senior years, though it is not uncommon for women under forty to get the disease. Obesity after menopause is considered a risk factor for this type of cancer. Menopausal hormone therapy that contains certain hormones such as progestin and estrogen could also increase chances of cancer. Individuals who are physically inactive or who consume large quantities of alcohol are also more likely to get this type of cancer.

Race has also been considered as a risk factor for cancer of the breast. This is because more Caucasians have been diagnosed with the disease compared to the number of blacks, Asians and Latina women. If a woman has had any changes in their genes, they are more likely to get this disease. Changes in the breasts as well as abnormal or atypical cells in the breast are also a risk factor for this type of cancer.

A person’s personal medical history is also a risk factor. Therefore, a woman who has already suffered from cancer on one breast has a higher chance of suffering from the disease again on the same breast or on the other breast. Individuals who have these risk factors should share their concerns with their health care provider so that they can have regular screening mammograms.

What is a radon and what is a radon bath? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. Radon baths have been used to treat chronic pain associated with rheumatic arthritis for hundreds of years, and with some positive results. I manage to take a dip in these baths once a year, or so. Radon bathing has been known to treat a myriad of other diseases as well, even those associated with the heart, and so on. Radon has been used as a medical treatment for cancer here in Japan for centuries – need we mention the life expectancy rate in Japan?

The radon bath looks just like any other kind of baths, but with a machine attached to the piping that helps release radon vapors into the air. Radon baths are not hot! But, more like a comfortable warm 37 degrees centigrade.

Every now and then I head off the beaten path to a part of Japan that is not well-known to a lot of people. Yugawara City to be exact. When I say not well-known, I mean a place that most urbanites either pass right by on their way to the Izu Peninsula. Due to the fact that Yugawara City is not as overly commercialized like places in Hakone City and areas around Nagano Prefecture, traveller often times leave them out of their travel itineraries. Many Japanese travelers move like sheep in that if the place(s) are heavily commercialized and touristy, they will flock there.