Breast Cancer

            According to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer for women in the United States. (NABCO, 2002).  After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the United States.  Thus making this disease very important to understand.  It can happen to any women at any time.  Usually as an adult but in rare cases before then.  Known risk factors like having a family history of breast cancer, starting menopause after the age of 55 or never having children account for a small number of breast cancer cases each and every year. (Breast Cancer Facts).  Breast Cancer can occur in both men and women but the prevalence of breast cancer in men is fairly low.  Public Support for the awareness of breast cancer has helped improve the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer greatly.   According to the Mayo Clinic, breast cancer survival rates have increased and the numbers of deaths from it have been declining.  This is due to earlier detection, new treatments and a better understanding of the disease. 

            Breast cancer is a tumor that starts in the cells of the breast.  The tumor is a group of cells that can grow and invade the surrounding tissues and spread throughout the body.  Symptoms include lump in breast, change in size, or shape of the breast or discharge from nipple.  In order to make sure you are not in danger self-breast exams and mammograms can help find breast cancer early when it is most treatable according to MedlinePlus.  According to MedlinePlus men can get breast cancer too.  Symptoms for men include breast lump and breast pain and tenderness.  Other symptoms for men include bone pain, breast pain, skin ulcers, swelling of one arm, and weight loss. 

            Known causes of breast cancer include age and gender.  According to an article by the New York Times called “Breast Cancer”, your risk of developing breast cancer increases, as you get older.  Most advanced cases of this cancer are found in women over the age of 50.  Family history of breast cancer goes along with the causes.  People who have had a relative go through breast cancer have a higher risk for having the cancer themselves.  Genes are another reason people are more likely to develop breast cancer.  These genes are called BRCA1 and BRCA2.  These two genes produce proteins to protect you from cancer.  Defects in these two genes are a serious concern.  Women with these defects are 80% more likely to develop breast cancer than women who do not according to the article.  A women’s menstrual cycle also poses as a risk factor.  Women who get their periods early in life or the opposite-went through menopause late have an increased risk for breast cancer.  Other risk factors are alcohol use.  People who drink more than 1-2 glasses of alcohol per day may have an increased risk for breast cancer than women who do not have that much alcohol.  Childbirth is another factor in possessing breast cancer.  According to the article, “women who have never had children or who had them only after age 30 have an increased risk for breast cancer.  Being pregnant more than once or becoming pregnant at an early age reduces your risk of breast cancer”.  Women who took diethylstillbesterol (DES) to prevent miscarriage could have a higher risk for developing risk cancer after the age of 40.  If hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was received they have a higher risk for breast cancer.  Obesity also plays a role in developing breast cancer.  Obese women produce more estrogen thus fueling the development of breast cancer according to the article.  Last but not least is radiation.  If radiation was received as a child or an adult the person has a much higher risk of developing breast cancer.  This is especially true when radiation was given during breast development.

            Treatment is based on a variety of factors including the type and stage of the cancer, whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones, and whether the cancer overproduces a gene called HER2/neu.    According to an article in the New York Times cancer treatments could include Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy either local or systemic.  A lot of women receive a combination of these treatments.  The goal of the treatment is to prevent the cancer from recurring.  There is even some work after the treatments.  Women will continue to take medications like tamoxifen and they will continue to have blood tests, mammograms, and other tests.

            There are many ways to deal with breast cancer.  One of them being support groups.  Talking about what you are going through and discussing your worries and concerns can help a great deal.  People who talk about your disease and treatment with others who share common experiences and problems can be very helpful.

Bibliography

Breast cancer. (2013, 2 3). Retrieved from http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/breastcancer/overview. tml

What is breast cancer?. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-breast-cancer