Natural Breast Health and Healthy Living

Genetic Testing to be Introduced for Health Insurance

Insurance companies are now allowed to consider the results of genetic test when underwriting policies. DNA samples will be permitted only in cases where the policyholder may have inherited the degenerative Huntington’s disease.

The decision of the expert advisory body reporting to the Government on genetics and insurance will open the door to the consideration of genetic test results for diseases which are inherited, including breast cancer.

Consumer groups and opposition MPs maintain that the introduction of DNA tests for insurance will create a group of people – the genetic underclass – who will be unable to get medical insurance cover.

A prime example of a group who will have to pay higher premiums and may never qualify for life insurance, are those inheriting the gene associated with Huntington’s, a terminal disease. Failure to disclose this disease to an insurance company following a DNA test would invalidate the cover.

The Liberal Democrat spokesman for health, Dr Peter Brand, says that not only is it going to be very difficult to regulate genetic testing, but it will create not only a genetic underclass, but also a health underclass. He maintains that although it is sensible to test when a genetic disease is treatable, it should be carried out confidentially, otherwise people won’t be able to sign up for mortgages and insurance.

An independent group of health professionals, geneticists and actuaries, known as the Genetics and Insurance Committee, has been established by the Department of Health, to assess genetic tests.

Hereditary breast cancer, myotonic dystrophy and Alzheimer’s disease are among nine diseases, which the Association of British Insurers (ABI) plans to request permission to include in a list of diseases for which genetic test results can be requested.

The National Consumer Council considers the granting of this application could be a backward step, as it will discourage people from applying for a test, which could be in their own interest.

Insurers will be told that they may consider genetic tests for Huntington’s when assessing life insurance cover, although not for mortgage protection and some other types of insurance cover. Cornhill and Standard Life do not consider the results from genetic testing when assessing a claim, although some insurance companies may do..

The Huntington’s Disease Association accepts that insurers must behave as ‘commercial companies’ Each person whose parent has Huntington’s disease is born with a 50-50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Anyone who inherits the faulty gene will, at some stage, develop the disease. A genetic test is available from Regional Genetic Clinics throughout the country. This test will usually be able to show whether someone has inherited the faulty gene, but it will not indicate the age at which they will develop the disease.50 per cent of people have a chance of inheriting Huntington’s from a parent who is diagnosed with the disease There are about 7000 people suffering from the illness in the country.

Juvenile Huntington’s Disease (JHD) refers to anyone who develops signs or symptoms of HD before they are 20 years old. It is a relatively rare condition and only about 5% of people affected with HD will develop symptoms this young. This can make it quite an isolating experience for the person affected by HD, their family, and any professionals that are helping them.

Michael Challiner
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/genetic-testing-to-be-introduced-for-health-insurance-688160.html

Silicone Breast Implants: 5 Things You Need to Know

Copyright (c) 2008 Ned James

Silicone breast implants have become the implant of choice for many women in the United States. After the controversy raising health concerns about silicone breast implants in the 80′s, the FDA banned them in 1992. Over a 14 year period silicone was only used in implants for purposes of breast reconstruction and in clinical trials. The result of the trials and improvements in the construction of the silicone implant prompted the FDA to approve them once again in 1992.

Many women prefer the silicone implant because it tends to look and feel more natural. As you consider your implant options, the following list will help guide you to discover the information you need to know:

Top 5 List of things to know about Silicone Breast Implants:

1) Rupture. The silicone implant is less likely to rupture compared to the popular saline implant due to its thick outer shell. Technological improvements in the structure of the implant have made a more durable implant. Additionally, with the cohesive gel silicone implant, popularly known as gummy bears, the silicone actually holds together upon its unlikely rupture.

2) Incisions. There are three typical incision methods with this type of implant. Women can choose to have the implant inserted through the armpit, under the breast fold or through the nipple. The limitation with silicone implants is that it cannot be inserted through the belly button (known as TUBA). And finally, the silicone implant requires an incision which is likely to leave a larger scar.

3) Natural look and feel. Perhaps the biggest benefit to this type of implant is that it will tend to look and feel more natural than saline. You not likely to have the rippling effect which can occur with the saline implant.

4) Expense. One important factor, of course, is cost. If you are interested in silicone you are likely to spend about one thousand dollars more due to the cost of the implant.

5) Implant Size. Silicone implants are available in a wide variety of sizes. Whether you are interested in a C cup, D cup, DD cup or larger, there is a silicone breast implant to fit you.

You should have a thorough discussion with your doctor regarding an appropriate implant size. The most common reason women go back for second or third surgeries is simply to change the size of their implant. With all the same costs and risks involved in second surgeries, please take your time to thoroughly investigate this decision.

I recommend the use of implant sizers to help you choose your size. While it is important to see before and after photos on the internet, nothing can replace the value of actual experience on your own body of various implant sizes. The best way is to actually live with the sizer over a period of at least two weeks. Try on different sizes until you feel comfortable that you have arrived at a size that works well for you and your body.

Silicone breast implants are an increasingly popular option in breast augmentation surgery. There are benefits to all implant types, but silicone should be given careful consideration. Make an informed decision about your breast implant type and size by wearing breast sizers and having a thorough discussion with your doctor.

Ned James
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/silicone-breast-implants-5-things-you-need-to-know-686734.html

Waging a Battle With Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lifetime; incredibly, it is estimated that just over a million people throughout the world – women and men alike – will be diagnosed during this year alone. Just as incredibly, in this same year, nearly 43,000 people will die in the United States. The statistics are sobering; not just for their sheer volume but because it does not have to claim as many victims as it does. In many cases, it can be beaten. But fighting the battle means early detection and comprehensive treatment.

Breast cancer – the most common cancer among women – continues to be diagnosed on a daily basis as more and more people learn to read the signs and symptoms of this disease and seek early medical intervention. During this early intervention, doctors will work with each patient to determine the best possible treatment – as determined by the type and stage of the cancer as well as the overall physical health of the patient.

Technological advancements in treatment continue to bring new and exciting options to the table; but when you are suddenly thrust into the position of having to make a decision about treatment, the choices can seem overwhelming.

One choice is surgery, wherein the cancerous growth is removed from the breast – also know as a lumpectomy. In more severe cases – or as a preventative measure – a partial or total mastectomy, or removal of part, or all, of the breast, may be performed.

But aside from surgery, there are also many other choices including, chemotherapy – a frequent course of intravenous drugs used to stop the growth of the cancer; radiation – using pinpoint radiation therapy to kill cancer cells; and hormonal therapy to stop the growth of cancer cells. In many cases, however, breast cancer treatment utilizes a combination of many different therapies in order to achieve the greatest possibility for success.

In some cases, patients also choose to incorporate holistic therapies into their treatment. Such therapies may include diet, exercise, therapeutic massage, and acupuncture.

Early treatment is the key to ongoing health and survival – increasing a patient’s chance of recovery and five year survival rate by nearly 95%. With such dramatic statistics at hand, it’s no wonder that doctors aggressively promote any and all methods of early detection including self-examination, routine gynecological exams, mammograms, and breast ultrasound.

The most important thing to remember is that new treatments continue to be aggressively researched. And what has resulted are new and less invasive treatment options for patients. If breast cancer has affected you or someone in your life, it is important to stay educated on research findings.

The battle continues to be waged by women on a daily basis. As more and more women are incorporating self-examination and routine gynecological exams into their lives, the access to early breast cancer treatment grows exponentially. And as those who have been affected can attest, early diagnosis and treatment saves lives.

Riley Hendersen
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/waging-a-battle-with-breast-cancer-treatment-121886.html

Using Your Health Savings Account to Find Your Risk for Dozens of Diseases

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a key aspect of what is known as “consumer-driven healthcare”, in which you the consumer – not your employer, the government, or an insurance company – are making the important decisions about your health coverage. When you have an HSA, you are in control – you can get the kind of treatment you want, see the doctors you wish to see, and get the tests that you need done in order to assess your risk and guide your decisions. Anything not covered by your insurance can be paid for from your Health Savings Account.

Having your genome scanned is now an affordable option that can give you valuable information about your risk for dozens of diseases, including breast cancer, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, psoriasis, and more. And you can pay for it from your HSA, with tax-free dollars.

Why Test Your Genes

Our genetic heritage is determined by our DNA, which contain thousand of genes that provide instruction to the cells on how to operate. When mutated genes are inherited, genetic disease may develop. Single-gene diseases such as Huntington’s or cystic fibrosis disease occur whenever the gene itself occurs. Multifactorial diseases are those in which there is a genetic “susceptibility” to getting the disease, but where environment also plays a part.

Many people choose to get their genome sequenced if there is a history of breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, or some other disease in their family. If you are proactive about taking care of your health, the information you receive could guide you to better eating or other lifestyle habits.

There are also companies that will test how you will respond to various prescribed medications, including whether you will experience side effects from antidepressants or pain relievers. One example is a family who ordered a genetic test for their three year old son who wasn’t responding to some medication after his heart surgery, and received a laboratory report listing all the drugs her son couldn’t efficiently metabolize.

You Just Spit in a Cup

Getting a test done is easy. Order online, and in a few days a home test kit will arrive in the mail. Put your saliva in the container, send it back, and in a soon you’ll have more details about what you’re made of than you ever thought.

The results will only show risks (unless you have a single-gene disease) and will not tell you for sure whether you will get a certain disease. Most degenerative disease is the result of lifestyle and environmental factors in combination with your particular genetic risks. In most cases, lifestyle is the most important factor. Remember that the foods you eat and the exercise you do actually changes which of your genes are expressed.

It’s Your Health

There is a great struggle going on over control of this nation’s healthcare. On one side are those who believe that the best way to manage costs and provide the best care is to give control to the individual. And of course on the other side are those who wish to have the government take control.

While knowing your own genome should be your right, certain people don’t want you to have this ability. Access to genetic testing is already outlawed in New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Currently we still have the right to take tax-free money from our Health Savings Account, get our genome scanned, without anyone from the government or any insurance company knowing anything about it or having any say.

Millions of people with HSA plans take advantage of this fact – getting alternative treatments like acupuncture or homeopathy, choosing their own tests so they can manage their bone density, cholesterol metabolism, or other health issues. And now, let’s add genetic testing to the list. The larger this list becomes the greater our healthcare freedom will be.

Take Responsibility

Health, like wealth, is really about personal responsibility. Just as the government cannot make us all wealthy, similarly it cannot ensure your good health. Neither can the insurance companies and neither can your doctor. It is up to you. Knowing your own genetic risk factors might be valuable information that could add years to your life.

One word of caution – be careful about who you share your genetic test results with. Insurance companies would love to have this information, as would certain nefarious government agencies and other bad guys.

Wiley Long
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/using-your-health-savings-account-to-find-your-risk-for-dozens-of-diseases-743499.html

Does anyone know if Breast Implants can be covered by Health Insurance?

if you have one breast larger than the other and has any one had this done for free covered by Health Insurance? Thanks

healthquotes.awardspace.info – here is my health insurance plan. As I remember they can provide such a service.