Breast Cancer: A Case Study

Breast cancer is a complex disease that will affect around 1 in 9 Canadian women during their lifespan. According to the latest statistics, it is found that around

Over the past decade breast cancer has become one of the most predominant diseases in the United States. Breast cancer starts out as a malignant tumor in the tissues of the breast which is formed from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in men. (Stephan, 2010)

We have all seen the pink ribbons. They have become a national, if not international symbol for breast cancer support and awareness. Breast cancer knows neither racial boundaries nor age restrictions. Females of all ages and ethnicities can develop breast cancer and it is the leading most common cancer among women. Calling attention to this often fatal disease is important by supporting its victims, families and friends of victims, as well as raising funds for breast cancer research. Though males are not immune from developing a breast cancer, for the purposes of this paper, this paper will be limited to information relating breast cancer in females.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). However, regular screening and mammograms can help reduce the mortality rates of breast cancer patients (LaPorta, et al., 2017). Signs and symptoms of breast cancer may include lumps, abnormal changes to the nipple, abnormal discharge from the nipple, or change in color of the breast or part of the breast (Asuquo and Olajide, 2015). There are many factors that can put women at risk of developing breast cancer, the two most common being growing older and being female (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Other risk factors can include things such as a

Despite significant advances in research, Breast Cancer is still the most common cancer, affecting both men and especially women. In the US, 232, 670 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed along 62,570 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer in women and about 2,360 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in men in just 2014 .

There are many different diseases that terrorize the human race every day. Of all of these sicknesses, one of the most devastating is breast cancer. Breast cancer touches all types of people all over the world each day. It is actually the second most common cancer amongst women in the United States. One in every eight women in the United States has some form of breast cancer and currently, the death rates are higher than any other cancer with the exception of lung cancer. Cancer is defined by the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary as “a malignant tumor of potentially unlimited growth that expands locally by invasion and systemically by metastasis.” Therefore, breast cancer is a disease of

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death of women, secondary only to heart disease. Breast cancer will affect one of every eight women or approximately 12% of the population. In 2016 there are 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer that will be diagnosed as well as 46,000 cases of breast cancer in situ in women. Additionally, there are 2,600 cases of breast cancer that will be found in men. Breast cancer rates have been decreasing since the year 2000. This is thought to be partially due to increased screening measures as well as discontinuing the use of hormone replacement therapy. There was as positive link established between hormone therapy

Cancer is an issue worldwide that does not favor race, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Although, particular cancer’s can effect some individuals more than others. For example, breast cancer. According to the Center of Disease Control & Preventions (2017), “Both women and men can get breast cancer, though it is much more common in women.” In the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cancer among women of any race. It is the most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanics and the second among white, Asian, black and Pacific Islander women (Center of Disease Control & Prevention, 2016). According to the American Cancer Society (2016), “ In 2015, 231,840 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and of those women

All around the world, breast cancer has become a huge issue and has effected many lives.

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.

“In 1999, breast cancer replaced heart disease as the leading cause of death among men and women aged younger than eighty-five years old. Mammograms find cancer in 138,000 women each year, and as many as 120,000 to 134,000 already have it (The Art of Healing 22).Women under the age of forty-five are more common in African American women than other races in women (Spencer 10). “About 40,790 women will die from breast cancer yearly” (The Art of Healing 23). Proven by the statistics shown, breast cancer has clearly risen over the years. Whether women or men are diagnosed with breast cancer, it is likely to spread genetically through families. Men hospitalized with biopsy-related infections had a 12 times greater risk of

CNBSS findings were released at the 13, 11-16 and 25 year marks. Results from the first period concluded that early mammography and physical examination of the breasts detected considerably more node-negative, small tumours than usual care, but it had no impact on the rate of death from breast cancer.1 Due to the length of the observational period following enrollment in the study, subjects fell between 50 and 59 years old at the time of this evaluation. The mortality ratio between the two groups at first look was 1.36. Both groups showed similar survival rates1. Upon the second evaluation, researchers acknowledged the benefit of improved detection of impalpable and even in situ breast carcinomas with screening, but were adamant that mammography played no role in reducing mortality rate2. The 25 year findings are of particular importance, as the CNBSS is now the longest running observational study of its kind. All-cause mortality was 9477 or 10.6% in the follow up period3. At the 25 year mark, 505 women in the control arm had died of breast cancer versus 500 in the mammography arm. One point that was mentioned in many studies is the over-diagnosis consequence of

breast cancer from twenty five to thirty percent and women age forty the data states a

Breast is a very vital portion of a female’s body. Breast problems and diseases alike carcinoma get distress and sorrow to women and most women should do everything in their capability to avoid its presence (Omoyeni, Oluwafeyikemi, & Irinoye, 2014).

Breast cancer accounts for one third of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States (Cauley, et al., 2007). The first sign in the process of this disease is a lump that forms around the breasts. For this reason, it is necessary to get the yearly mammograms once a woman reaches a certain age. Also, monthly self-examinations can aid in finding breast cancer early. If this condition is found early enough, chances of survival are abundant. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50 with 86% of the deaths occurring in this age group (Cauley, et al., 2007). Postmenopausal women have a higher risk for breast cancer, because the risk increases when levels of endogenous estradiol rise (Cauley, et al., 2007). Breast cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in women. This epidemic has a higher incidence rate among white women than in African American women, but African American women have a higher mortality rate (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010). White women are more apt to develop this disease than any other ethnicity. However, in women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010).