Prevention And Treatment Of Breast Cancer 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).

There are no symptoms at the early stages of breast cancer which makes early detection even more difficult. When tumors become large there is an obvious breast mass which is mostly not painful. Symptoms of breast cancer include breast thickening, skin irritation, tenderness, swelling, breast scales, distortion, redness tenderness, nipple retraction and ulceration, There may also be abnormal discharge.

According to the United States Breast Cancer Statistics (2016), in 2016 there will be an estimated 246,660 newly diagnosed cases of invasive breast cancer and 61,000 of non-invasive breast cancer among women. For this reason, when studying breast cancer based on a large-scale impact, it not only affects the patient themselves but, as well as their families and communities nationwide. Furthermore, many contributing factors lead to this being such a public health issue. Conclusively, there are specific programs, services, and policies that help to assist the contributing factors of such a public health threat. Nevertheless, breast cancer is still an increasing concern in society, and much-needed research is required to be able to detect and treat this disease.

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 .

The breasts are essentially a milk factory. Inside the breasts there are glands called lobules that are responsible for producing the milk. These glands contain branches of little sacs that hold the milk called alveoli. The lobules are positioned around ducts that carry milk to the nipple. Also, a layer of fatty tissue surrounds

As the cells change, it begins to divide rapidly causing a tumor to form. The term “breast cancer” refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast, or in some cases, the tissues in between. There are many different types of breast cancer, including non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, metastatic breast cancer, as well as the intrinsic or molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in around 20-30% of breast cancer tumors. It is associated with a more aggressive disease, higher recurrence rate, and increased mortality.

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

Breast cancer is an unfortunate reality that plagues nearly 12 percent of women in the United States. 1 After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, the 5 year survival rate diminishes to 22% according the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.2 All types of cancer treatments are associated with certain problematic side effects. In many cases the side effects from the treatments are the main cause for decrease in the overall quality of life and function for the patient. The three most common treatments for breast cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Common side effects from chemotherapy include; cancer related fatigue (CRF), pain, mouth and throat sores, and nervous system effects such as peripheral neuropathy.3 Many of the side effects associated with radiation therapy are similar to that of chemotherapy, but also include skin irritation and burns.4 Upper extremity range of motion and strength deficits are common impairments that follow surgical interventions for breast cancer.

Cancer is no longer a death sentence. The number of people who have survived cancer has increased significantly in recent years. Some adult patients have a survival rate of 70% or more, while some pediatric conditions can boast a higher cure rate. To survive this disease, it takes a lot of strength, endurance and courage.

The word cancer by itself in verbal conversation can strike terror in the hearts of those talking. Unless you have actually been diagnosed with cancer, however, you can't truly understand how devastating that diagnosis can be. When you're diagnosed with cancer, your life is going to change instantly and dramatically, whether the cancer is operable, treatable, or some other alternative. The following article contains a number of ideas you can use to lessen the blow that a diagnosis of cancer has on your life.

“About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. About 40,000 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2014 from breast cancer” (“U.S Breast Cancer Statistics”). Breast cancer is an issue that is affecting more and more women each and every day. There are plenty ways that technology and treatment has evolved to help detect breast cancer sooner. Because of the rise in breast cancer cases over the years, many organizations and resources have been created to help patients cope with this disease. Through breast exams, biopsies, different types of therapies, and places to turn to for help, breast cancer patients are able to let out all their emotional and physical struggles with having cancer.

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.

A female breast consists of fatty and fibrous connective tissues. The interior of the breast is divided into about twenty different sections called lobes. Each of the lobes is further divided in to lobules, which are structures that contain small milk-producing glands. These glands place the milk into tiny ducts. These ducts take the milk through out the breast and store in a chamber located below the nipple.

Breast cancer affects so many of us. Most of us will know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It may be our grandmothers, our aunts, our moms, our sisters, our best friends, our spouses, or ourselves. Breast cancer even strikes men. The likelihood is fairly high that we know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The shocking statistic is that breast cancer occurs in 85% of us who have no history of breast cancer in our family. Despite medical advancements, early detection, and the pink ribbon campaign every October, breast cancer is still the 2nd leading cancer cause of death in women.