Tag: breast cacner

Is there a link between CRP and cancer?

CRP is a biomarker for inflammation in the body. Its elevated level may signal a variety of health issues, such as a bacterial or viral infection. Cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, can cause elevated CRP. The measure is also used to assess cancer patients’ prognosis.

The acute phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver during the systemic inflammatory response. Its synthesis is influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. CRP is produced into the blood within 24 hours of the inflammatory response beginning and returns to normal when the inflammation decreases.

The CRP standard is < 6 mg/l . Smokers and pregnant women may have higher protein levels.

A high CRP level may indicate:

  • bacterial infections (e.g. streptococcal, staphylococcal infection),
  • viral infections (e.g. hepatitis B),
  • autoimmune inflammatory disease (e.g. lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, enteritis),
  • mycosis.

The C-reactive protein test can also be used to tell the difference between bacterial and viral illnesses. Bacterial infections are more likely to cause significantly increased CRP levels (even greater than 100 mg/l). CRP levels are lower (30-40 mg/l) in viral infections.

CRP and cancer. When is high CRP indicative of cancer?

CRP is a non-specific marker of inflammation, and its elevated level may indicate cancer. Studies report both  1 mg/l and above 175 mg/l, but the higher the score, the greater the likelihood of more advanced cancer, the presence of metastases, and a worse prognosis. 

High CRP is due to the constant, low-grade inflammatory response that accompanies advancing cancer. It is important to remember that not every cancer will result in an elevated C-reactive protein, and not every elevated result will mean that we are dealing with cancer.

What kind of cancer can a high CRP indicate?

Elevated levels of CRP in the blood may indicate various types of cancer, such as:

  • colorectal cancer ,
  • lung cancer ,
  • stomach cancer ,
  • breast cancer
  • prostate cancer (prostate),
  • lymphoma ,
  • pancreatic cancer .

CRP and OB

CRP, like the ESR (Bernacki test), indicates the presence of an inflammatory reaction in the body, although the acute phase protein is a more stable characteristic that does not change as much. CRP has no effect on OB. If the ESR is markedly increased while the CRP is normal, myeloma is most likely present (cancer of the hematopoietic system).

CRP and prognosis in cancer patients

The CRP test is used to determine the prognosis of cancer patients. If the CRP is high and there are no symptoms of infection, the prognosis is poor. That could be an indication of a more serious problem. The CRP test can be used to predict the prognosis of tumors such as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. However, keep in mind that a high CRP score does not indicate malignancy. Further tests are required to confirm or rule out cancer.

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Why men often delay going to the doctor for breast cancer

Every year, breast cancer is found in about 700 men. Most of the time, the tumor isn’t found until it’s too late. There isn’t enough early detection.

Every year, about 700 men and 70,000 women in Germany get breast cancer. Men have a lower chance of living because cancer is found later in them. Most men get breast cancer in their second half of life. If a man’s mother or aunt has already gotten sick, he should talk to a doctor and get tested for cancer mutations. Like women, men produce the hormone estrogen. That makes sense. However, having a higher level of estrogen or benign breast enlargement (gynecomastia), which can result from being overweight or taking certain medications, are risk factors for breast cancer. 

Many seek medical attention too late

Professor Michael Untch at the Helios Clinic in Berlin explains that a tumor grows in the mammary glands, which are also found in men. When men use soap in the shower, they often notice the cancer, which can spread to the lymph nodes nearby. Professor Tanja Fehm at the University of Düsseldorf encourages men to seek help from gynecologists and places that treat breast cancer.

Studies have not included male patients in breast cancer care, and there is no way to know if knowledge can be easily passed from woman to man. However, if the cancer is found at the same stage, men and women have similar chances of survival.

Schrag, Matthias. “Brustkrebs Bei Männern: Warum Sie Oft Spät Zum Arzt Gehen.” Apotheken Umschau, 10 Mar. 2023, http://www.apotheken-umschau.de/krankheiten-symptome/krebs/brustkrebs-bei-maennern-warum-maenner-oft-spaet-zum-arzt-gehen-947517.html.

Men have less glandular tissue than women, so the entire breast is removed during a mastectomy. Breast-conserving surgery is only possible if the tumor is very small. Women usually get the diagnosis earlier if they regularly take part in early detection.

Following the operation, additional therapies will be needed.

The most important idea is that chemotherapy, anti-hormonal therapy, and irradiation are all ways to reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer. Chemotherapy is recommended in about a third of cases, while anti-hormonal therapy and irradiation are also given.

A pang in the chest

Olaf Michel, a 67-year-old photojournalist from Ettenheim near Freiburg, was diagnosed with breast cancer three days after feeling itchy on his right breast. He immediately went to the gynecologist and noticed the women’s looks in the waiting room. He went through the typical stages of breast cancer treatment, including diagnosis, surgery, and follow-up care. This is why there are only three weeks between diagnosis and surgery.

Exhausting chemotherapy

The radiologist took an X-ray of his chest on the same day to find the tumor. A mammogram involves squeezing and irradiating the breast like a woman’s. Michel says, “I asked the radiologist, ‘Is that possible with men?'” “Of course, some women have even smaller breasts,” she said. Once the disease is found, the treatment is the same as it is for women. A piece of tissue is taken. This lets doctors find out if the tumor is good or bad and how fast it is growing.

He had a tumor removed from his right breast, and after surviving the operation, he went on vacation to the North Sea. He tolerated the first treatment well, but then he got circulatory problems, skin peeling off, fingernails flaking off, and lost 14 kilos in a short time. His mouth was inflamed and he couldn’t eat solid food, so he stopped the chemotherapy.

Regular check-ups necessary

Michel is still taking in a lot of air. Since the diagnosis, nine months have passed. He is still calm. During the follow-up exam, everything looked fine. Now, he’s going to the Black Forest to get better. He says, “It could have gone in a very different direction.” In addition to the checkups, he will take a medicine to stop estrogen from working for the next five years. He’s not looking for sympathy; he just wants his old life back. And most of all, he wants to share his story with other men.

Myths about breast examination

Do you know the health risks associated with mammography? Or that having small breasts makes it impossible? Do you believe that a breast exam doesn’t need to be rushed or that it is best to skip one because it will only unnecessarily uncover something? These are harmful myths that should not be believed.

Despite the importance of breast examinations, there are many myths surrounding them that can lead to confusion and fear. One common myth is that only women over the age of 50 need to get mammograms. However, the American Cancer Society recommends that women begin getting mammograms at age 40 and continue to get them annually. Another myth is that breast cancer only affects women, but men can also develop breast cancer. It’s important to separate fact from fiction when it comes to breast examinations to ensure proper care and early detection.

The most frequently discovered malignant tumor in women is breast cancer. Breast ultrasound, mammography, and self-examination are the three main breast exams that work in tandem to help find breast cancer early. Unfortunately, there are still misconceptions about breast examination despite our society’s growing health consciousness.

A mammogram won’t be performed if you have small breasts.

Mammography does not have a problem with small breasts. Even a small amount of tissue placed on the mammogram’s base doesn’t prevent the camera from taking pictures. Men can be tested too.

Breast ultrasound and mammography tests are only available to women.

Women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, but men make up 1% of cases. Regular mammograms and ultrasounds can help detect breast cancer early, which can increase the chances of successful treatment. Additionally, individuals with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors should consider getting screened at a younger age or more frequently. In a study, experts looked over 1,869 men’s mammograms and found 2,304 breast lesions, 149 of which underwent biopsies and 41 were found to be cancerous. It is important to screen high-risk men for breast cancer to aid in the early detection of cancer and save lives.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are contraindications for breast imaging

Breast ultrasounds are safe to perform while nursing or pregnant. Mammography is not recommended during pregnancy, but can be done if necessary. Mammograms can also be done while breast-feeding, but the results have no impact on the milk’s quality or composition or the wellbeing of the breastfed child. Women must express milk before the examination to lessen the discomfort.

For women who have breast implants, imaging tests are not done.

Breast ultrasound or mammography are not incompatible with having breast implants, but the presence of implants can make examination and result interpretation challenging. Imaging tests are carried out differently in women with implants, such as taking more pictures or positioning the breast correctly. It is necessary to disclose to the diagnostician prior to the examination.

Every few years, a breast ultrasound is recommended.

More of these studies need to be conducted. . If breast cancer runs in the family, this test should be performed every six months. Between the ages of 50 and 69, mammography should be done every two years, and if there is a family history of breast cancer, every year.

You receive a significant amount of radiation exposure during mammography.

Mammography is regarded as a safe procedure, and the most radiation we are exposed to in one appointment is 0.4 mSv. This quantity falls within the acceptable range for health. We must keep in mind that we are exposed to radiation every day from the environment. Radiation doses between 0.1 and 1.0 mSv increase the risk of death by the same amount as taking a passenger flight over a 7,200-kilometer route. 

Mammography can reliably identify breast cancer. Breast ultrasounds are safe to perform while nursing or pregnant. 

Mammography is not recommended during pregnancy, but can be done if necessary. It can also be done while breast-feeding, but the results have no impact on the milk’s quality or composition or the wellbeing of the breastfed child. Women must express milk before the examination to lessen the discomfort. During an examination, a suspicious change may be found, but breast cancer is not always the result. To confirm or rule out a malignant lesion, additional tests are required, such as a biopsy. Most of these errors are made by women between the ages of 40 and 50.

Anytime is a good time to examine your breasts.

No and yes. Although it is important to be on the lookout for breast cancer, it is not advised to have a breast exam prior to your period because of the hormonal changes brought on by the menstrual cycle. Mammography, ultrasound, and breast self-examination should all be done in the first half of the menstrual cycle, which is the time between the period and ovulation. The breasts swell and are tender before menstruation. It’s not a good idea to perform this kind of test right now because I might also have a different tissue consistency.

Breast ultrasound is less reliable than mammography.

There is no better or worse study among these. These studies support one another, employ various technologies, and cater to various patient populations. Mammography is a test that is primarily recommended for women over 50. (and in some recommendations over 40 years of age ). This test should not be carried out on women under the age of 40 due to the dense breast tissue at a younger age. A breast ultrasound is intended for these women.

When examining your breasts, take your time. It’s a product for older women.

Without a doubt. Every female over the age of 20 should routinely check her breasts. You can form this crucial habit from a young age. It is recommended to perform a so-called breast palpation once per month, ideally between the sixth and ninth day of the menstrual cycle. After age 30, regular breast ultrasound is advised. All women should take steps to prevent breast cancer.

When breasts are examined, the majority of lumps are cancerous.

Contrary! The majority of breast changes found by various tests are benign and unrelated to cancer. Up to 80% of breast lumps are thought to be benign abnormalities. As a result, you shouldn’t be afraid to have your breasts examined. The worry that the test will unquestionably find the illness is unfounded, and it shouldn’t deter us from routine prophylaxis. It’s important to keep in mind that breast cancer does not necessarily mean death. Early detection prevents metastasis, and it is nearly curable.

Birth control pill increases breast cancer risk by 25 percent

A recent study on the birth control pill discovered that it increases the risk of breast cancer by around 25%. What exactly do the findings imply?

The birth control pill is one of the most reliable contraceptives when used correctly. Many women use them to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. However, the pill is not completely safe. In addition to increasing the risk of embolism and thrombosis, it should now increase the risk of breast cancer by 25% on average. A recent Oxford University study confirms this. Not only the traditional combined birth control pill containing estrogen and progestin, but also pure progestin pills, known as mini-pills, should increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

All hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer.

Researchers analyzed data from 9,498 women aged 20–49 with breast cancer and 18,171 other healthy women. Results showed that 44% of women with breast cancer had received a prescription for a hormonal contraceptive three years prior to diagnosis. Women without breast cancer were 39 percent more likely to have taken combined estrogen and progestin preparations as well as progestin-only pills. All preparations increased the risk of breast cancer by 23–32 percent.

A reason to panic? An expert clarifies the results.

The combination pill, consisting of estrogen and progestin, slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, but this is less dramatic than it may seem. Women of childbearing age naturally have a low risk of developing breast cancer, so the 20% increase in an already low risk still means a very low probability.

Researchers advise: see risk and benefit in relation

25-year-old women have a 0.4 percent risk of breast cancer, but a 20 percent increase in risk means 4.8 out of 1,000 will develop it. The contraceptive effect and proven risk reduction for other cancers must be taken into account.

Researchers advise women not to stop taking the pill out of fear, as other factors such as obesity and smoking have a greater impact on whether they develop breast cancer. Age also plays a major role, with most women diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70.

Risk regulates itself again after stopping the pill.

Studies have shown that five years after stopping the pill, the risk of breast cancer is back to normal. Women should do regular self-examinations and have a gynecological checkup once a year. A tumor usually becomes apparent when women feel their breasts and is only detectable if it is one centimeter in diameter.

Breast cancer: If detected early, it can be well treated.

Every year, breast cancer is found in about 70,000 women in Germany. If caught early, it can be treated successfully. We still don’t know what causes breast cancer, but we do know that a breast cell’s genome has changed, which makes it grow out of control and form a tumor.

Learn more at Munaeem’s Blog

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Early detection of breast cancer is crucial for effective treatment. This is why it’s important to get regular mammograms for women over 50, or earlier if there’s a family history of breast cancer. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

Breast self-exams are also a great way to detect any changes in your breasts. If you notice any lumps, changes in size or shape, or any unusual discharge, it’s important to see your doctor right away.

Treatment for breast cancer may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells, and chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body. In some cases, hormone therapy may also be used. The treatment plan will vary depending on the stage of cancer and the patient’s overall health.

Remember, breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can affect women of all ages and backgrounds. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have or to get regular check-ups. If detected early, breast cancer can be well treated. So, take charge of your health and stay informed.
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