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Background
The human body is covered in hair which grows through minute “holes” in the skin, called pores. The sebaceous glands produce oils which lubricate the skin. However, when these glands become overactive, which is quite common in adolescence, they can cause blockages in the pores due to a combination of the oily sebum from these glands, dead skin cells and keratin, the major constituent of hair.
When these blockages enlarge and become open, this can lead to the formation of a Blackhead. However, should these enlargements remain closed, then a Whitehead may be formed. If these blockages are left unattended, inflammation can set in resulting in the unsightly scars often associated with Acne.
Contrary to popular view, Acne is not caused by dirt. The black colour associated with Blackheads is not dirt, but oxidised keratin. The blockages of keratin that cause Acne occur deep within the narrow follicle channel where it is impossible to wash away. When the cells lining the ducts do not flow to the surface in the sebum created by the body, then plugs are formed.
The build up of oil on the skin can block the passages of these pores, and so regular washing of the face can clear away the old oil and help unblock the pores.
Main Causes
Research has identified a number of factors associated with the onset of Acne. These can be summarised as follows:
Hormones – During puberty, for example, the production of male sex hormones may increase with the result that the sebaceous glands will generate more sebum.
Bacteria – Certain forms of Acne can be caused by a particular bacterium which can be resident in the pores of the skin.
Hereditary – There is a strong evidence to suggest a link between Acne and the various members of the same family. In this way, later generations can inherit more vigorous strains of the spots and sores.
Stress – There is an increase in the production of the hormones from the adrenal glands during stressful interludes. Such a connection to Acne is now thought doubtful.
Scratching – Any form of skin irritation, such as the simple act of scratching the sores or spots, will augment any existing inflammation.
Certain Medications – There is evidence to suggest that the use of certain medicines containing barbiturates, the halogens, such as chlorides and iodides, and lithium may be linked to Acne.
The occurrence of Acne Vulgaris in older people is not very common. However, adults can be susceptible when it can be associated with other conditions, such as pregnancy. Also, during the menopause, the hormone estradiol may no longer be produced. As a result, this can lead to the incidence of a type of Acne that is specific to this period in a woman’s life.
The areas of the body most commonly affected are the face and upper portion of the neck. However, the chest, back and shoulders may also be prone to acne. The upper parts of the arm can also become affected.
Apart from the unsightly scars, the main effects experienced by an individual are psychological, such as reduced levels of self-esteem. Further, recent studies have indicated that other associated episodes include depression, and even suicide.
The onset of acne is usually during adolescence. This is the period in their lives when young people tend to be most socially insecure. It is for this reason that a programme of early and aggressive treatment is therefore advocated. In this way, it is felt that such a course of action would tend to lessen the overall impact upon the individual.
Acne – How To Succeed
About the Author
Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a wide range of subjects. Acne Articles cover Background, Causes, Scars, Various Treatments in Detail.
His Website has many more Acne Articles, written by others and carefully selected.
View his Website at: acne-how-to-succeed.com
View his Blog at: acne-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com
Article Source: Content for Reprint
Signs and Symptoms
A lump that appears in the breast that feels at variance with the surrounding breast tissue is typically the first symptom or indication of the presence of breast cancer.
The prestigious Merck Manual has indicated that, in the vast majority of breast cancer cases, it is the woman herself who first discovers the presence of a lump. The first medical indication of breast cancer, as stated in the reviews of the American Cancer Society, is usually discovered when the patient is subjected to a mammogram upon the advice of her doctor. Another indicator of breast cancer is the presence of hardened tissue found in the lymph nodes located under the armpits or in the region of the collarbone.
Alterations in the size or shape of the breast, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or discharge from a nipple may be regarded as alternative indications of the presence of breast cancer. The incidence of pain is not a reliable determinant for the presence of the cancer. Such an observation may in fact be more indicative of other breast related issues such as mastodynia.
An appearance that can resemble skin inflammation is caused when breast cancer cells attack the small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Such a characterisation is known as inflammatory breast cancer. The onset of pain and swelling, the presence of warmth and redness all across the breast, together with a skin texture which has the appearance of the outer skin of an orange, are all initial characteristics associated with inflammatory breast cancer.
Paget’s disease of the breast is yet another, somewhat complex, symptom. This syndrome, which refers to the association of several clinically recognizable features, presents skin changes which are synonymous with eczema, such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. The presence of a tingling sensation, of itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain are all characteristics associated with the advance of Paget’s syndrome. Another symptom may involve a discharge from the nipple. It has been found that a good proportion of women diagnosed with Paget’s also experienced a lump in the breast.
There are times when breast cancer occurs as a metastatic disease. As such, it represents a cancer that has spread beyond the original source and into neighbouring areas. This type of breast cancer will give rise to symptoms that depend on where the metastasis is situated. The bone, liver, lung and brain are where Metastasis is most commonly found.
An occult breast cancer can sometimes manifest itself in the form of unexplained weight loss. Another symptom could present itself in the form of fevers or chills. Further determinants of metastatic breast cancer can take the form of bone or joint pains, as well as jaundice or possibly even neurological indications. It must be remembered that some of these symptoms are non specific, and as such may be applicable to many other illnesses.
In this respect, therefore, it has been found that many symptoms of breast disorder do not actually turn out to represent an underlying presence of breast cancer. To establish this notion, benign breast diseases, such as mastitis and fibroadenoma of the breast, are more common causes of breast disorder symptoms.
Since there is a distinct possibility of acquiring an underlying breast cancer at almost any age, then the appearance of a new symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors.
Breast cancer represents 10% of all cancers relating to both sexes.
Breast Cancer – How To Succeed
About the Author
Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a wide range of subjects. Breast Cancer Articles cover Background, Symptoms, Risk, Prevention, Treatment.
His Website has many more Breast Cancer Articles, written by others and carefully selected.
View his Website at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.com
View his Blog at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com
Article Source: Content for Reprint
Overview
When a group of cells display uninhibited growth, which refers to division beyond the normal limits, this phenomenon is commonly referred to as cancer. Other characteristics include an attack and destruction of surrounding tissues, and the spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood, which is known as metastasis.
These malignant, which refers to a severe and progressively worsening disease, properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited and do not invade or metastasise.
A tumor refers to a swelling or lesion formed by an unusually high growth of cells and occurs with most cancers. However, some, like leukemia, do not produce tumors.
Breast cancer becomes established, initially, in the cells of the breast in men and women. On a worldwide basis, the second most established form of cancer, after lung cancer, is that of breast cancer. It represents 10% of all cancers relating to both sexes. It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death.
The most common type of cancer specifically related to women, globally, is that of breast cancer. It occurs at more than twice the rate of that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and about three times that of lung cancer. Further, in the case of women, deaths from breast cancer, worldwide, is approximately 25% more than that from lung cancer.
In a study in 2005, it was found that breast cancer produced 502,000 deaths worldwide. To get this into context, this represents about 7% of all cancer deaths, and nearly 1% of all recorded deaths. Further, there has been a substantial increase, globally, in breast cancer since the 1970s. This statistic, it is suggested, may be associated with modern lifestyles in the western world.
On a global basis, the occurrence of breast cancer differs significantly according to region. It is less widespread in less-developed countries and more so in the further-developed countries. In the twelve designated regions of the world, the annual incidence rates per 100,000 women are as follows: Eastern Asia, 18; Southern Central Asia, 22; sub-Saharan Africa, 22; South-Eastern Asia, 26; North Africa and Western Asia, 28; South and Central America, 42; Eastern Europe, 49; Southern Europe, 56; Northern Europe, 73; Oceania, 74; Western Europe, 78; and in North America, 90.
The United States has the highest incidence rates of breast cancer in women, globally. A study has shown 141 cases among white women and 122 among African American women. Also in the US, breast cancer amongst women is the most prevalent cancer. After lung cancer, it produces the second highest occurrence of deaths from all cancers.
There is a 12.5% chance of women in the US developing invasive breast cancer within their lifetime. Further, there is a 3% chance that the breast cancer that they may contract will actually cause their death. A forecast has suggested that, in 2007, breast cancer would be the cause of 40,910 deaths in the US. This would represent some 7% of cancer deaths, and almost 2% of all deaths.
For the last few years, both the incidence and death rates from breast cancer in the US have been in decline. In 2005, a study conducted in the US by the Society for Women’s Health Research concluded that breast cancer remains the disease that causes the most concern. This is an interesting outcome since heart disease is a much more widespread determinant when considering all deaths among women.
Breast cancer is also prevalent in men. This is due to the fact that the breast is composed of identical tissues in respect of both genders. However, it must be remembered that the manifestation of breast cancer in men is some 100 times less common than that in women. Conversely, men with breast cancer are considered to have the same statistical survival rates as women.
Breast Cancer – How To Succeed
About the Author
Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a wide range of subjects. Breast Cancer Articles cover Background, Symptoms, Risk, Prevention, Treatment.
His Website has many more Breast Cancer Articles, written by others and carefully selected.
View his Website at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.com
View his Blog at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com
