A Right to Her Genes

Breast cancer is something that has personally touched my family and more than once. I have more than one immediate family member that is currently diagnosed with breast cancer. This alone,

When I was given this ancestry project I automatically knew I wanted to figure out my family genetics and why I got cancer in the first place. I am the only child out of four in my family to get cancer. After digging into some history I found out that my mom, grandma, and uncle had cancer. It's weird how genetics work but I was basically doomed from the beginning. My grandma had breast cancer and had both her breasts removed. My uncle had stage four lung cancer and passed away shortly after diagnosis. And my mom had thyroid cancer only a few years ago and is a survivor. Since there is history of breast cancer in my family I had to get tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene, which is a mutated gene that is inherited from your family. This gene increases your risk of developing breast cancer to 50%, a one in two

Why should we care? According to (Bender, 2012) 40,000 women and approximately 390 men will die this year from breast cancer. Cancer does not discriminate; it could be someone you know. It could be you.

The Lawler family has a history with a specific type of cancer, Breast cancer. When Deb was in high school, she watched her mother fight through breast cancer and Deb’s grandmother died from breast cancer before she was born. Her uncle Bob was just diagnosed with breast cancer before his 50th birthday, and her cousin Katherine was diagnosed with the cancer when she was 33. Now that Deb is 33 years old, she has been wanting to know her chances of being diagnosed. When Deb had first brought up the idea about getting tested, her family was split on advice for her. Deb’s father encouraged her and her siblings to be tested, but her brother John really did not know how to feel about the testing, her sister was undecided about how she felt, but thought that her results could have benefits for her children in the future. Her mother was silent when the topic came up in conversation, and Deb’s cousin Lynn, refused to even discuss the subject. Deb’s Aunt Sue, was vocal about her opinion and was very

My mother’s side of the family has a history of cancer. My maternal grandmother and great aunt and uncle all died of some form of cancer. My mother, as well as her siblings are at risk for cancer.

The ANA named 2015 the “Year of Ethics,” which is highly appropriate due to the ever changing advancements in genomics (http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses/Code-of-Ethics-For-Nurses.html). Ethics is a great concern regarding genetic testing because the testing may affect an individual’s quality of life. In the 5th vignette, Interpreting Risk: The Impact of Life Experience, we see the viewpoints of two female roommates. Lisa’s mother suffered from breast cancer and died at a young age. As a result, Lisa was left with the feeling that death from breast cancer is inevitable for her. Lisa wants to receive genetic testing and if she tests positive will not have children even though she wants children

Breast cancer is also another very prevalent disease that affects many women worldwide. However, with modern technology, it is easy to identify those women who are at high-risk for developing breast cancer through looking at mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. This can be very controversial, due to the fact that once women find that they’re positive for the gene mutations, they may choose to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy. In doing so, a woman can decrease her risk of developing breast cancer by 90%-95% (McQuirter, Castiglia, Loiselle, & Wong, 2010, p. 313). However, issues such as surgical complications and body image concerns prevent many women from choosing such an option. This study focused on exploring the process of making a decision

Cancer. One of those words that repeatedly echoes in your head, drowning your thoughts, consuming your body… wondering, why you? How didn’t I find out sooner? Due to the many health benefits of mammography, women starting at the age of 40 should be required to have yearly mammograms. The discussion of mammography continues to rise in controversy, especially regarding why women should start receiving mammograms at the age of 40. Two conflicts that continue to threaten women against mammograms are the amount of radiation exposure and the evidence that mammograms can cause false positive results. Although there are negatives, mammography is peculiarly important in the solidity that they can detect cancer two years in advance and is able to pick up very small lesions.

Hannah Warren Jan Hadder, and Meg Huggins are three women with different experiences or knowledge about genetic testing. I was intrigued by the information that they dispensed to us, and the different mindset each had. A preference of mine about something they could have altered would have been the setting. Although I admired the information, I began to lose focus because the atmosphere was stiff and not active. Another thing that could have been different that would have expanded our knowledge about genetic testing, would be to have a male speak to be able to hear from a males point of

“In 2015, there are more than twenty-eight million women with a history of breast cancer in the United States of America. This Includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment. – BreastCancer.Org“ Breast cancer has taking over many people bodies, also lives. Anybody can get breast cancer from man to women. Cancer doesn’t have to be in your family history for you to get it.

Francisco made some rice and beans with meat from a lamb. At dinner Diego talked about what they saw at the market, “Was weird there were slaves and weird looking people”. Catalina wished she went to the market. After dinner Diego and Catalina went upstairs to get ready for bed. Catalina went to go call her Dad and Mom to say Goodnight when she heard some whispering in the hallway. ”Why didn’t you go?’ Mom said harshly. “I didn’t want to leave the family!” Francisco said in a quick tone. Teresa started to move and Catalina zipped up the stairs. “Why are you running?” Diego asked, taunting her. Catalina told him about everything bout what Uncle Cortez said, and what just happened. “Wow I wish I was here!” Diego said sounding

Audience Link: There is a large amount of men and women who are diagnosed with breast cancer everyday but they usually don’t know how it forms and ways it can be treated. Breast cancer is a very serious disease that shouldn’t be taken likely. Even if you do not have breast cancer, chances are that you know or will

The three words no one ever wants to hear politely were articulated: “YOU HAVE CANCER.” I was in tears in a matter of seconds. I texted my husband in the waiting room, he came to the treatment room and couldn’t believe the devastating news either. The doctor went on explaining the next steps to take for surgical procedures, counseling, family genetics and treatment options. Still in shock, I went to the administrator and received a folder of necessary information regarding everything and anything about breast cancer. (Teresa Harris)

Breast Cancer affects one in eight of American women, and is the second most common cause of cancer death in America. I chose to write my term paper on breast cancer because it is a disease that has effected some members of my family. Due to this possibly inherited condition, I felt that researching the topic would help me learn ways to prevent the disease and educate myself to perform self-exams that may result in early detection.

Although breast cancer may occur at a higher rate in older women; everyone should know their family cancer history. For instance, genetics can play a role in developing this disease, as well as some inherited genes. Additionally, having a family history of breast cancer can double the risk of