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| Frequently
Asked Questions |
| What can I do to
protect myself from breast cancer?
|
- Doctors assure no guarantee of completely curing breast cancer,
but there are several ways women can help reduce their risk of
breast cancer. Over the period of time studies have shown that
women whose diets are rich in fruits, vegetables and soy products,
and low in fats are less likely to develop breast cancer than
those whose diets do not include an abundance of such foods. Also
exercise can lower risk of the disease in women who participate
regularly in some form of physical activity.
- Treatment may generally include surgery, radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, hormone therapy or a combination of these.
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| Are vitamins helpful in
preventing breast cancer? |
-
Vitamins A, C and E are abundant in fruits, vegetables and nuts.
There are some evidences that these vitamins may play a protective
role. While preliminary studies have shown evidence that vitamin E
may help prevent prostate cancer in men, no such studies have been
conducted showing any such insurance against breast cancer.
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| My left breast is bigger than
my right breast. What should I do? |
- Symmetry in human body is not always perfect. Many of the
individuals have slight difference between the right side of the
body and left side of the body. If the difference is not huge, you
should accept it and ignore it. But if difference is huge, you
should visit a good plastic surgeon.
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If I am pregnant, how can I
take care of myself? |
Following are the ways through
which you can take care of yourself and your baby.
- Eat healthy food, do regular exercises, take enough rest
including your multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid.
- Get regular checkups. This will ensure that you and the baby are
healthy. If there are any problems, doctor can take action right
away to help you and the baby.
- Do not take any medicine without consulting your doctor. Some
medicines are not safe during pregnancy.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol. These are injurious to you
and your baby
- Stay away from things that have dangerous chemicals as their
ingredients such as insecticides and paint thinners. Stay away
from mercury and lead. Carefully read labels and ask your doctor
or nurse about a product if you are unsure of its usage during
pregnancy.
- Use gloves while working in garden areas.
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Is caffeine harmful during
my pregnancy? |
-
Heavy consumptions of caffeine during pregnancy may cause
caffeine withdrawal in newborns. Keep caffeine consumptions
low-to-moderate in coffee, tea, colas, chocolate and
over-the-counter drugs.
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Can I use seat belts of a
vehicle during my pregnancy? |
- The key concern for pregnant women for using seat belt is to
decrease maternal and fetal trauma in the event of a motor vehicle
accident. The best protection is provided with the diagonal
shoulder strap and a lap belt. The diagonal strap should pass over
the shoulder and across the chest between the breasts. The lap
strap should lie across the upper thighs. So, the straps should be
above and below the "bump" of pregnancy -- not over it.
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If I think I might be
pregnant, when should I see the doctor for the first time? |
- It is generally recommended to see the doctor at about the time
of your second missed period. If, however, you have medical
problems or any particular questions or concerns you should go as
soon as possible.
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Is it safe to fly, during
pregnancy, if we're going on vacation? |
- Yes, if your pregnancy is uncomplicated.
- If you are on plane for an extended period of time, keep your
blood circulation continuous by moving around the cabin of the
airplane every hour. It is advisable not to travel during the last
6 weeks of pregnancy as labor may begin at any time. But if you
must travel at this time, make sure that you should check into
care facilities and medical providers beforehand, as well as your
insurance coverage.
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| Does sex hurt the First Time? |
- Sex for the first time may or may not be painful. There may be
psychological and physical reasons for it. In case you are not
sure about your partner or are not entirely convinced about the
timing and place, you may feel more pain. With true care and
better mutual understanding between you and your partner, there
may be less discomfort.
- Physically, often, for the first time there will be some
bleeding as the hymen is torn. Using large amounts of a
water-based lubricant may help. Using tampons help in stretching
your hymen.
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| Is it O.K. to have Sex during a Period? |
- It's a myth that you should not have sex during periods. In fact
many women feel increased sexual arousal during the periods. The
only thing you should do is to take certain controllable measures
by consulting your doctor.
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