Hormone replacement therapy use and variations in the risk of breast cancer.

Opatrny L, Dell'Aniello S, Assouline S, Suissa S.

Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of different types and formulations of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Population-based case-control study. SETTING: UK, 1988-2004. PARTICIPANTS: Women 50-75 years between 1998 and 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Breast cancer incidence to estimate the rate ratio (RR) associated with use of various HRTs over a 30-year period. RESULTS: We identified 6347 incident cases of breast cancer that were matched with 31,516 controls. Cases were on average 61 years at diagnosis and 22% had undergone a hysterectomy. The rate of breast cancer was increased with the use of opposed estrogens in oral form (adjusted RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.27-1.49) in contrast to patch form (RR 1.08; 95% CI 0.81-1.43). This rate was similarly elevated with both continuous (RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.07-1.56) and sequential (RR 1.33; 95% CI 1.21-1.46) forms of opposed estrogen. The rate of breast cancer was not increased among exclusive users of unopposed estrogens (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.86-1.09) or of tibolone (RR 0.86; 95% CI 0.65-1.13). Users of tibolone who had switched from opposed estrogens, however, had an elevated rate (RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.09-1.52). The rate of breast cancer increased by 25% (95% CI 20-30%) with every ten prescriptions of orally administered opposed estrogen. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of breast cancer varies with the formulation and preparation of HRT. Opposed estrogens (progesterone-estrogen) in oral form are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, which increases with use. Transdermal opposed estrogens, unopposed estrogens and tibolone do not increase this risk. However, this study is an observational study that carries risks of various biases, and thus the findings need to be interpreted with caution.

PMID: 18081598 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Detox

How to Detox the Body
How to Detox the Mind and Spirit

Somebody last year brought me an newspaper article which stated that the average person living in London, England is exposed to 500 different toxins EVERY DAY - toxins from the air, toxins from the food, toxins from the water, toxins from TV and Cell phones. You can not get away from it. Therefore you need to detoxify. The body is an incredible instrument, it can handle and adjust to most situations. But if the body gets overloaded with toxins then it gets stressed and we get sick. To help the body to restore perfect health we have to detox. We have to have detoxification of the entire gastro intestinal track and all the organs. You also need to purify and detox the mind and the spirit

.At Moinhos Velhos we offer a complete detoxification program - juice fasting with various herbs and powders, holistic therapies, colon cleansing, yoga and meditation, sauna hot tub and nature walks. To effectively cleanse and detox the colon we have the Clysmatic, a gravity colonics for purification and detoxification of the large intestine. The selected herbs will cleanse the entire gastrointestinal system. Our sauna is on every second day to effect cleansing and Detox through the skin, our largest organ. Our drinking water is purified by reverse osmosis and this clean water is also used for colonic cleansing and detoxification. A swim in our SALT WATER POOL (no chlorine) is always a pleasure, and helps in the detox process by eliminating toxins from the skin - no toxic substances in this water. For the Mind and the Spirit we have flower essences, yoga and meditation.

Natural Cold and Flu Defense: Using Echinacea, Zinc, Vitamin C and Other Supplements

The common cold and influenza are viral infections that affect almost everyone one or more times every year. When you catch a cold or the flu, the virus attaches itself to the cells of the mucous membranes in your respiratory tract. The virus destroys cells, which causes you to feel sick and experience symptoms like a sore throat and stuffy nose. Colds most often involve the upper respiratory tract, and flu viruses attack your lower respiratory tract producing more severe symptoms such as fever and body aches. Colds can be severe and lead to secondary infections including ear infections, bronchitis, sinusitis and influenza. Herbal and vitamin supplements can make you feel more comfortable, control fever, improve the body's recovery time, and provide protection.

Herbal supplements and tonics can strengthen the immune system and aid in balancing your body's biochemical and physiological systems. The immune system functions by producing antibodies and stimulating specialized cells, which destroy foreign cells or organisms and neutralize their toxic products. The immune system also recognizes and eliminates damaged or dying cells. The immunity process involves the production of white blood cells and other chemical and physical barriers in the body. Herbs help maintain the immune system and make it responsive to changing circumstances, and strengthen the body when under attack. When your various systems are in balance, you are less likely to get colds, flu and other infections.

Not all colds and flu can be prevented. If you have a viral infection, anything you do to stimulate your immune system can help reduce the severity and duration of your illness. There are several herbs that may offer protection or relief for you this cold and flu season.

Echinacea

This herb activates the immune system to counter both bacterial and viral infections. It inhibits the ability of viruses and bacteria to take over cells thus exposing the body to infection. Echinacea is a mild natural antibiotic and has a stimulating effect on the body's immune defenses. It is best taken at the onset of symptoms and can protect against staph and strep infections and help relieve swollen lymph nodes.

Goldenseal

Commonly found in combination formulas, goldenseal has antibacterial properties and is a potent remedy for disorders affecting mucous membranes. It is a valuable immune system enhancer and a cold and flu fighter. Goldenseal is valuable in fighting sinus and lung congestion, sore throats, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. read more >> Garlic, Ginseng, Hyssop, Licorice, Elderberry, Vitamins

Is Erotic Massage Available for Women?

Legally speaking, erotic massage is not available for men or women in all of the United States except Nevada. Massage as a practice is heavily regulated by respective state boards, (almost) all of which prohibit any act deemed inappropriate for a therapeutic setting.

AIDS Drugs: Doubling as Prevention?

By HILARY HYLTON

They are the mice that roared — five furry warriors in the battle against AIDS whose role in a Texas-based study has strengthened the possibility that common drugs used to treat HIV infection may someday work as a preventive against vaginal transmission of the virus. The results hold promise for millions of women, particularly in the developing world — Africa, Southeast Asia and South America — where females make up the fastest-growing segments of the HIV-infected population, and public-health workers are desperate to stanch the tide of new infections. "There are 5,700 deaths a day from HIV-AIDS — that's the equivalent of an Indonesian tsunami hitting the shore every day," says Dr. Warner Greene, director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology at the University of California, San Francisco. read more >

Yoga for us ?

The postures adopted in yoga aim to increase suppleness and strength, while the philosophy and relaxation behind it is designed to alleviate stress and counter negative emotions - at the same time promoting a healthy lifestyle.

What is Yoga? The history of yoga What to expect during a session

What is Yoga?

Yoga aims to achieve the union of the body and mind in its practitioners and this is brought about by correct breathing, physical exercises and meditation.

Today there are many different forms of yoga, which spring from these three main types
1. Pranayama (breathing technique)
2. Asanas (the adoption of postures)
3. Dhyana (meditation technique)

The aim of yoga therapy, or treatment, is to increase the flow of vital energy or 'prana' (known as Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM), which flows along energy channels called 'nadis' (meridians in TCM).
Yogic tradition identifies seven major points of concentrated energy (chakras) that can be enhanced through yoga. They are located at the crown of the head, the throat, the solar plexus, the spine, the centre of the forehead (third eye), the heart and the naval.
Each of these chakras (like Chinese acupressure points ), has positive and negative qualities and can be deliberately stimulated or sedated in order to alter the balance of activity of the central nervous system.

The history of yoga >>

What Happens in the Menopause?

At the end of the active reproductive years, as the ovaries start to fail in their role of egg and hormone production, women around the age of 50 approach the menopause.

The process is complex, beginning several years before the actual menopause, as hormone levels dip and the brain responds by increasing its own pre-hormone chemicals in an attempt to keep the ovaries going.

Surges of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH) are thought to be responsible for the sweats and flushes that start around this time. Despite the brain's efforts, egg production decreases and hormone levels fall. The effect on the body is widespread. The ovaries stop functioning. With falling hormonal stimulation the growth of the endometrial lining of the uterus becomes erratic before finally ceasing and periods stop.

Without the effects of oestrogen, the soft tissues are more likely to shrivel and thin, so everything from external skin and hair to vaginal walls lose their youthful plumpness, becoming drier, droopier and more friable, which for many women can make sex difficult or downright painful.

Urinary symptoms are also common as the entrance to the bladder can be affected. Without the protective effect of oestrogen the risk of osteoporosis increases and women may experience bone pains. The effect on the brain is less well understood but emotional swings, poor concentration and irritability are common.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Alternative cancer treatments have been used to treat various types of cancer for many years; sometimes instead of traditional cancer treatments and sometimes in conjunction with the traditional treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Some of the most popular alternative treatments include the use of herbs, which are used in a variety of ways, including as nutritional supplements.
Some alternative cancer treatments focus on treating the mind, body, and spirit instead of treating the body only. Other methods focus on ridding the body of toxins and employ various methods to do so including a diet rich in antioxidants as well as antioxidant supplements and colon cleansing. Massage, using various oils, including essential oils are often a part of the regimen of those seeking alternative cancer treatments.
While some of these cancer-fighting treatments or regimens just make good sense anyway, others could be dangerous so it is important to closely scrutinize any unconventional treatment you are thinking of utilizing.

Embracing Alternative Care

Top hospitals put unorthodox therapies into practice

By Avery Comarow Posted January 9, 2008

"To be blunt, if my wife and I didn't think it was helping him, we wouldn't have continued with it," says Dan Polley. He's talking about Mikey, the Polleys' 2½-year-old in the next room, who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia when he was 6 months old. Chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant have been crucial elements of Mikey's treatment. But the "it" his father speaks of is nothing like these aggressive, costly, and heavily researched exemplars of western care—it is a kind of touch therapy, from the camp of alternative medicine. Gentle and benign, "healing touch" is intended to rebalance the energy field that its practitioners believe surrounds the body and flows through it along defined pathways, affecting health when disrupted. Several times a week, therapist Lynne Morrison spends 20 minutes unblocking and smoothing Mikey's energy field, which energy healers like Morrison say they can feel and correct.

An acupuncturist taps needles into a patient's skin. It is rarely painful.

(Jeffrey MacMillan for USN&WR)
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