Breast Cancer as an Important Malignancy in Women - Essay Example

? BREAST CANCER Breast Cancer Breast cancer is one of the most significant cancers among the middle-aged women all over the world. Furthermore, it is also a very common case of mortality amongst women in the western areas. In England and Wales, an estimate of one in twelve women develops breast cancer in their total life span (Williams et al 2008). In United States the incidence of breast cancer in the year 1994 was recorded as 1% and it has remained significantly unchanged over the past five decades (Russo & Russo 2004). Breast cancer presents with various signs and symptoms and the tumor affects the healthy bodily functions along with the quality of life. This cancer has different diagnostic and therapeutic tools different current and the ongoing researches about the prevention and cure of breast cancer are also conspicuous. The most common site of the breast to be affected is the upper outer quadrant of the breast. The breast cancer manifests as a hard lump with or without retraction of the nipple. With the progression of the disease, the skin may appear as a characteristic peau d’orange. This feature appears as an orange like skin because of the cutaneous lymphatic edema. The sweat glands cause the inward movement of the skin because the skin is unable to swell any further due to the edema (Williams et al 2008). A woman should notice some particular symptoms which should make her visit the GP. Changes in breast size or shape, changes in nipple, swellings in the axillary (armpit) region, dimpling appearance of the breast skin or an unexplained pain in any part of the breast (Pennery et al 2008). Ulcerations on the breasts or fixation of the breast tissue to the chest wall are important signs of breast cancer. Another manifestation of underlying breast carcinoma is Paget’s disease of the nipple. It is the eczema of the nipple and the areola region and is not affected by any local therapeutic efforts. The erosion of the nipple occurs and it even disappears with the passage of time (Williams et al 2008). There are many queries about what should be the life style of a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. A balanced diet should be the major priority especially for those who are taking treatment for the cancer. Vitamins and the minerals are important to support the recovery process. Alcohol drinking should be restricted to only one small glass. Adding a healthy exercise regimen to the daily routine would also be good for the health of the women with breast cancer. However, strenuous exercises during the therapeutic course should be avoided and only exercises ranging for short time periods should be preferred. Strong sunlight should be handled carefully, with sun-blocks or covering the breasts properly with clothes as the treated areas can be easily sun burnt. The sexual relationships with partners can also be carried out as normally as before the occurrence of breast cancer (Pennery et al 2008). The risk factors for breast cancer are variable. Age is one of the most significant one. It is extremely rare below the age of 20 and mostly occurs above this age group. Women with a positive family history of breast cancer are also at higher risk as compared to others. Breast cancer is common in nulliparous women, women who had their child at an old age that is after 30 or 35 yrs, late beginning of menstrual cycle and early menopausal age. Excessive exposure to radiation is also an important risk factor for breast cancer (Williams et al 2008). Environmental pollutants like pesticide composites, polychlorinated biphenyls and DDT have been found to be significant in relation to the etiology of breast cancer. Other risk factors include shorter duration of breast feeding, prolonged estrogen replacement therapy, prolonged oral contraceptive use, low physical activity and any typical or atypical enlargement of the breast tissue (Russo & Russo2004). The diagnostic tools available to assess and confirm breast cancer include mammography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and needle biopsy. Mammography becomes more sensitive with increasing age as the breast tissue density is lesser. The ultrasound is on the other hand helpful in younger women with denser breast tissues. Needle biopsy is done to assess the histology of the breast tissue through fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) technique. For confirming any breast lump the rule of “triple assessment” should be followed. This includes checking clinically for signs of the cancer, imaging the breast tissue by radiological techniques and taking a tissue biopsy (Williams et al 2008). The prognosis of breast cancer depends on the tumor size and the lymph node involvement. If the tumor is invasive and has a metastatic potential it will have a comparatively poor clinical course. In cases where the tumor spreads from the breast tissues via the blood supply, it may spread to the ovaries, adrenal glands, lumbar vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, ribs and the femur. In cases of spread of the cancer via the lymphatic supply, the supraclavicular nodes may be involved representing advanced stage of the cancer (Williams et al 2008). The current treatment for breast cancer includes surgical options, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. The surgical options for breast cancer are Patey mastectomy in which breast and the adjacent structures are removed, conservative breast surgery and sentinel loop biopsy. After mastectomy, radiotherapy to the chest wall is carried out in women who have a higher chance of the development of breast cancer again. Tamoxifen is used widely as the hormone therapy for breast cancer. It reduces the redevelopment of the cancer by 25% and reduces the death rate by 17%. A 6 month cycle of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil is applied and results in prevention of relapse for 15 years. Women who have undergone mastectomy are also offered breast reconstruction which gives them an improved quality of life (Williams et al 2008). Screening of the women at risk for breast cancer is the most important preventive method. Women should also be made aware for self-examination of breast tissue for detection of any lump or any changes in breast tissue (Pennery et al 2008). Limiting the endogenous or the exogenous carcinogens plays an important role in prevention of breast cancer. Controlling intake of arachidonic acid, dietary fat and estrogens will affect the prevention of breast cancer positively. Caratenoids present in many fresh vegetables and fruits help in excretion of the carcinogens and reducing oxidative stress and thus they have a preventive role. Tea because of its antioxidant properties has also been explained biochemically as useful in preventing breast cancer (Russo & Russo 2004). According to new researches led by Dr Mark Tangney, the tumor growth in breast cancer can be stopped or prevented by using genes from humans as a therapeutic tool. The genes will then cut off the tumor’s blood supply leading to death of tumor cells eventually. With proper advancements this therapy can be applied within the next decade (the journal.ie 2012). Research is being carried on the prevention function of the physical activity in association to breast cancer. According to a study carried out by Neilson and his colleagues, prolonged and healthy physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. (K. Neilson et al 2009). Researches in cancer vaccination and immunotherapy targeting the breast cancer at molecular levels are under study to provide as a better treatment option. Furthermore the role of BAG-1, a protein which is considered to cause chemotherapeutic agents resistance, is also studied in the causation of breast cancer. The over-expression of BAG-1 observed in tissue biopsies is important in deciding treatment strategies (Yao 2006). Breast cancer is an important malignancy in women because of its high incidence. The signs and symptoms of breast cancer are important to be understood by women as the early detection of the tumor plays an important role in better prognosis. Researches in the preventive and treatment strategies for breast cancer are promising and reflect improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that may be available for the treatment of this cancer. Bibliography Neilson, H. K., Friedenreich, C. M., Brockton, N. T., & Millikan, R. C. (January 01, 2009). Physical activity and postmenopausal breast cancer: Proposed biologic mechanisms and areas for future research. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, 18, 1, 11-27. Pennery, E., Speechley, V., & Rosenfield, M. (2009).Breast cancer. London: Class Pub. Russo, J., & Russo, I. H. (2004). Molecular basis of breast cancer: Prevention and treatment. Berlin: Springer. The Journal.ie. (2012, 8 March). “New gene therapy could ‘stop growth’ of breast cancer tumors”. The journal.ie. Retrieved from: http://www.thejournal.ie/new-gene-therapy-could-stop-growth-of-breast-cancer-tumours-376197-Mar2012/ Williams, N. S., Bulstrode, C. J. K., O'Connell, P. R., Bailey, H., & Love, R. J. M. N. (2008). Bailey & Love's short practice of surgery. London: Hodder Arnold. Yao, A. P. (2007). New developments in breast cancer research. New York: Nova Biomedical Books. Read More