Mastectomy Essay

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world (Breast). Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed: one in eight women will have breast cancer (Walgreens, 2011; Chen, 2010). “I have to admit, like so many women, I always knew there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I'd hear those devastating words: 'You have breast cancer.' “- Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a democratic representative of Florida (2011).

Women may experience a range of emotions with the diagnosis as well as throughout the treatment as a result of breast cancer, such as: sadness, anger, fear and guilt. Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor the client for their psychosocial adjustment to the diagnosis and treatment, and identifying those that need further psychological interventions (Boehmke & Dickerson, 2006). This includes being aware of the impact the diagnosis will have on the family members and loved ones; as their support is warranted as possible caregivers during the process. Appropriate nursing diagnoses for a woman with a new verdict of breast cancer may include (but not limited to): disturbed body image related to loss of hair due to chemotherapy; fear related to the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease; and knowledge deficit of cancer treatment options and reconstructive surgery. Other diagnosis will be added and removed as the patient decides if she wants treatment; and the psychological, psychosocial, and physical changes that may affect her quality of life. For instance, after a mastectomy the patient may have a nursing diagnosis of: risk for disturbed body

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 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

A study conducted by Wilner et al. of 145 patients with loco regional recurrences after mastectomy had concluded that a better 5 year survival was for patients with only axillary lymph node recurrences (50%), compared with those with supraclavicular lymph node recurrence (28%) and combined chest wall with axillary recurrences (28%). Only 5% had 5 year survival

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

Breast cancer constitutes the second most prevalent cancer most common among women of the world with an estimated 1.62 million reported cases in 2012 which constitutes 25% of all cancer cases and ranks fifth among mortality due to cancer (Ferlay et al., 2015). In the United States, according to American Cancer Society an

List the factors in the patient’s history that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer’s physicality comes in the form of a lump on a woman's breast. Since breast cancer is the number one form of non-skin cancer; it influences many organizations to help victims of this heinous disease. Breast cancer is not a current issue today; it has plagued modern society since the 1700’s but was not formally diagnosed until much later. Since the 1700’s, however, “doctors are convinced that the best way to treat breast cancer is to remove the breast” (Breast Cancer Nursing Care and Management). During

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.

* "According to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations, breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women in the United States, falling only behind skin cancers. This is why it is such an important disease to understand. Throughout this speech there will be information about various issues which deal with breast

The main limitation in this study is the small sampling of Caucasian female study participants from one Midwest breast cancer center. More research in other parts of the country needs to be completed for a more accurately portrayed study.

In the last years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a very popular method used for the early detection of breast cancer, because it has greater sensibility than mammography. But, opponents of MRI are concerned about this type of examination because of the belief that it may increase rates of mastectomy. However, different studies have been performed and no proof of this has been recorded (Dang and Zaguiyan et al 937). Although many people think that mastectomy may increase with MRI’s, I feel that these types of screenings should be more recommendable for women at high risk for breast cancer, because cancer, if not treated on time might be fatal.

The medical world has made some huge advances in diagnosing breast cancer and because of that, it has given women everywhere a fighting chance. Even with Breast Self-Exams (BSE) and Mammography it is still prevalent today. I will take you through the journey from finding the first lump, diagnosis, therapy, and finally the outcome. I have interviewed real women and families of women about their path with this disease and how it affected them. It has been an honor to research this subject and in doing so, taught me a lot.

Breast cancer has been acknowledged for centuries, with records dating as far back as the ancient Egyptians, over 3500 years ago (1). However diagnosis, research and progress throughout history have been slow due to it being a matter of taboo and humiliation. In 1957 the idea of surgically removing the tumours was suggested by Henri Le Dran, introducing mastectomy to the 20th century; the first scientific step in acting against cancer. Radical mastectomy lengthened survival, however was often declined due to the disfigurement left behind. To overcome this, Bernard Fisher published results from ‘breast conserving’ surgery accompanied by radiation or chemotherapy, which were ‘just as effective’ as a radical mastectomy (1).