Breast Cancer and Red Wine - Essay Example

The current paper aims to proffer pertinent issues relative to breast cancer, including its overview and general description; the current statistics of those affected on a global scale and in the United States; the explanations on how various body systems get affected; and the medications or treatments recommended, especially that which was currently discovered in allegedly drinking red wine. Breast Cancer and Red Wine Introduction Cancer is a dreaded disease that is being monitored by international and national health organizations on a global scale. According to the World Health Organization, the term cancer was specifically defined as “the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs” (World Health Organization, 2013, par. 1). The alarming fact that was revealed in various research from organizations that monitor this illness is that it is considered the leading cause of death worldwide (Cancer Research UK, 2012; World Health Organization, 2013); and that the trend in number of people contracting the illness continues to increase at a reported rate of 45% from the rate recorded in 2007 up to 2030 which noted “7.9 million to 11.5 million deaths” (WHO, 2008, par. 3). Despite the dreaded nature and repercussions of those who apparently contracted this illness, experts on the subject have revealed that risk factors have been clearly identified and avoiding these would assist in ultimate prevention. The aim of the current discourse is to focus on presenting a discussion on breast cancer, including its description, the current statistics of those affected, the explanations on how various body systems get affected, and the medications or treatments recommended, especially that which was currently discovered, through drinking red wine. Description of Breast Cancer The National Cancer Institute (NCI) explicitly provided the definition of breast cancer as “cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk)” (National Cancer Institute: Definition of breast cancer, n.d., par. 1). It was likewise disclosed that there are different types of breast cancer, depending on the cell that eventually developed into an abnormal growth. The mentioned types included ductal carcinoma and lobular carcinoma (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2012, p. 1) where the differentiating factor between the two types was the part which sourced the abnormal growth (ductal from the ducts while lobular from the lobes of the breasts). Current Statistics of Those Affected From the statistics provided by the Cancer Research UK (2012), it was revealed the breast cancer ranked second in the world’s most commonly diagnosed cancer as of 2008. In the United States, breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among females, and “the most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women; as well as the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women” (CDC: Fast Facts, 2012, p. 1). The total number identified to have contracted breast cancer in the U.S. as of 2009 was 211,731 women or which 40,676 women were reported to have died from this illness (CDC: Fast Facts, 2012). The latest figures provided by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have disclosed that the number of women diagnosed to have newly contracted breast cancer as of 2012 was 226,870 female and 2,190 male; where the number of deaths have been reportedly identified: 39,510 for female and 410 for male (National Cancer Institute, n.d.). Explanations on How the Various Body Systems are Affected Cancer was identified to originate from the cell. From the explanations provided in the NCI, the normal cells in the body mature, die, and get replaced by new ones. Somewhere in the process of growth and development, some error occurs. When cells are expected to naturally die and be replaced, some just do not die; or some new cells just emerge even when not needed. As such, these extra buildups of cells could accumulate and allegedly develop into what is termed as “lump, growth, or tumor) (NCI:Cancer Cells, n.d., par. 3). When these abnormal cells develop in any of the parts of the breasts, then, these are identified as breast cancer and could potentially spread in other parts of the body. Medications and Treatments Treatment options for breast cancer are diverse, ranging from undergoing through different therapies (hormone, radiation, targeted and chemotherapy) to surgery (NCI, n.d.; CDC, 2012). There are even complementary and alterative medicine (CAM) which were noted to augment traditional treatment methods. These CAM take the form of “meditation, yoga, and dietary supplements like vitamins and herbs) ( CDC: Treatment, 2012, p.1). Recently, an article from the Cedars-Sinai (2012) revealed the potentials for red wine as a treatment option for breast cancer. Accordingly, “drinking red wine in moderation may reduce one of the risk factors for breast cancer, providing a natural weapon to combat a major cause of death among U.S. women” (Cedars-Sinai, 2012, par. 1). The main explanation was provided by authors Wang, Lee, Chan, Chen, & Leung (2006) stems from indicating that estrogen was apparently identified to play a crucial role in the development of breast cancer; as such, suppressing or inhibiting estrogen was conceptualized to assist in the prevention and even treatement of breast cancer. Allegedly, Wang, et al. (2006) identified the presence of resveratrol, which was found to parallel as an aromatase inhibitor (“a type of hormone therapy used to treat some breast cancers” (Komen, 2010, p. 1) in red wine, where “resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that can be isolated from grape peel” (p. 71). Their findings revealed that “resveratrol could reduce localized estrogen production in breast cancer cells” (Wang, Lee, Chan, Chen, & Leung, 2006, p. 76). Conclusion With the still increasing trend in numbers of people, especially women, contracting breast cancer, researchers and medical practitioners continue to find innovative treatments to prevent and cure the disease. It is important for women to be aware of the risk factors and follow the recommended techniques for lowering the risk of contracting this dreaded disease. It has repeatedly been emphasized that early detection through identified screening has been instrumental in preventing spreading to other parts of the body. A change in lifestyle, diet, observing regular exercise, and being apprised in current developments on innovative treatments and medications would assist in enhancing awareness and knowledge to appropriately address imminent risks of contracting this dreaded; yet preventable illness. References Cancer Research UK. (2012, August 28). Cancer Worldwide - the global picture. Retrieved from cancerresearchuk.org: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/world/the-global-picture/cancer-overall-world Cedars-Sinai. (2012, January 6). Moderate Red Wine Drinking May Help Cut Womens Breast Cancer Risk, Cedars-Sinai Study Shows. Retrieved from cedars-sinai.edu: http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/About-Us/News/News-Releases-2012/Moderate-Red-Wine-Drinking-May-Help-Cut-Womens-Breast-Cancer-Risk-Cedars-Sinai-Study-Shows.aspx Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2012, September 17). Basic Information About Breast Cancer. Retrieved from cdc.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/index.htm Komen, S. (2010). Aromatase Inhibitors. Retrieved from komen.org: http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content_Binaries/806-03910.pdf National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Breast Cancer. Retrieved from cancer.gov: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast Wang, Y., Lee, K., Chan, F., Chen, S., & Leung, L. (2006). The Red Wine Polyphenol Resveratrol Displays Bilevel Inhibition on Aromatase in Breast Cancer Cells. Oxford Journals, 71-77. WHO. (2008, April 1). Are the number of cancer cases increasing or decreasing in the world? Retrieved from who.int: http://www.who.int/features/qa/15/en/index.html World Health Organization. (2013). What is cancer? Retrieved from who.int: http://www.who.int/cancer/en/ Read More