Breast Cancer in Australian Women - Case Study Example

BREAST CANCER IN AUSTRALIA Introduction Breast cancer are cancers that begin to form on the breast tissues, either from the inner lining of milk ducts which causes cancer known as ductal carcinoma, or those that form on the lobules, that usually supply milk to the milk ducts (Vainio & Bianchini, 2002). Cancer from the lobules is referred to as lobular carcinoma. Breast cancer is of different types and they have varied stages, genetic makeup, and level of aggressiveness. Breast cancer accounts for more than 1% of deaths globally (Miller, 2008).  Breast cancer incidences have increased tremendously around the world. Among countries affected is Australia. Breast Cancer in Australia In Australia, breast cancer has been cited as the most prevalent type of cancers among women. Research done on the prevalence rates of breast cancer in Australian population suggests that breast cancer mortality rates have reduced over the years due to early detection and easy access to advanced treatment (Torosian, 2002).  The research has indicated that breast cancer infection is influenced by factors other than the characteristics of the cancerous cells. Breast cancer in men in Australia has been low until recently. The reason for low rates of breast cancer among males is that their breast duct cells are not as developed as those of women, and their breast cells are not exposed to the effects of cancer promoting hormones of estrogens and progesterone (Hunt, 2001). In Australian population, there are differences in prevalent rates among different group of people. There is difference in prevalence rates depending in country of origin. Migrants are less likely to be patients of breast cancer than Australian- born residents. This is caused by self-selection process, where the physically and economically abled people, either are the ones who can afford to migrate, and international regulations on immigration that requires people to be of full health, more educated or pass other eligibility criteria. Low prevalence rates of breast cancer in Australia among migrants can be as a result, that they are more likely to reside in urban areas than in rural areas, thus easy accessibility to health facilities and health care (Miller, 2008). Other differences of prevalence rates in Australia are among groups within different socio economic status, differences in geographical locations, by age and by diagnosis of the cancer stages. These differences are influenced by factors such as availability of diagnostic equipments and services, characteristic of the population, prevalence of risk factors and participation levels in agreeing to attend screening programs in health care facilities (Breast Cancer Foundation, 2010). In order to come up with effective treatments and preventive measures, one needs to understand the various stages of cancer (Breast Cancer Institute of Australia, 2010). Classification of breast cancer is influenced by cancer staging, pathology, physical symptoms, receptor status, and the absence and the presence of genes (Mahmud, 2008). In the staging, the classification is based on how large or small the tumour is; spread of tumour to the lymphatic system, and the characteristic of the tumour, that is, the ability to spread to all parts of the body system. There is stage 0, which the cancer cells are pre-malignant, stage 1-3, the early stage of cancer, and it can be effectively treated. In addition, the last stage is stage 4, where the cancer is spread and advanced. In this stage, it is incurable. Breast cancer can be classified by how invasive the cancerous cells are in the epithelial tissues/ lining. Cancer on the lining of the ducts and lobules are referred to as carcinoma in situ while those that attack within the epithelial tissues and tissues around it, are referred to as invasive carcinoma. Another classification is by grade. Differentiation is a process where body cells form different forms and shapes to conduct various functions. In cancerous cells, they can be well, moderately or poorly differentiated. The ones that differentiate poorly has prognosis that is worst than the others (Torosian, 2002). There is the classification by the receptor status. Cells generally have receptors. Depending on the availability of the receptors in the cancerous cells, this can be used to decide which treatment to use. The last classification is by use of DNA testing of the presence and the absence of genes. DNA micro arrays have been used to study differences in genes in normal cells and in cancerous cells. By understanding this classification, the Australian government research bodies have been able to identify when treatment should be started, effective treatment per particular stage, and effects of a particular staging in regards to age (Mahmud, 2008). Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in Australia There are factors that have been cited to be causative of cancerous cells in the body. According to research done in Australia, breast cancer is prevalent more in women and men in the childbearing age. Among the factors that are associated with causing cancer among women is their age, refusal or late childbearing, refusal to breastfeed, sex, and high levels of hormones in the body (Hunt, 2001). Most of the breast cancer incidences can be prevented by women reducing or avoiding intake of alcohol, maintain standard body weight by healthy eating and exercising and opt to breastfeed. These risk factors account for more than 45%. Genetic risk factors, women with BRCA mutation genes, depending on the amount of proteins where their mutation occurs, have very high risk of developing breast cancer than women who are not carriers. They have more than 50% risk of developing cancer of the breast or cancer of the ovaries (Breast Cancer Foundation, 2010). Other factors are, eating food that has high fat content, obesity, environmental factors like use of tobacco, effects of radiations like collective effects of radiation from mammography and other radioactive processes, and disruption of the endocrine. Additional factors are family history of breast cancer (Breast Cancer Institute of Australia, 2010). Women with close family members, who have been diagnosed with the disease before the age of forty, are at high risk of developing it. History of breast cancer by an individual, who has had breast cancer on one breast, is at higher risk of developing it on the other one (Chan, 2005). Having abnormal cells in the breasts or other changes in the breast puts a woman at higher risk of developing cancerous cells. Breast cancer has been more prevalent in Europe, Africa, and Asia. This is because race is a contributory to development of cancerous cells in the body, due to their gene mutations. Australian government has enrolled programs raise public awareness of the risk factors and how they can be managed to reduce the rates of developing breast cancer among both men and women (Hunt, 2001). Preventive Measures in Australia Australian government is focusing more on taking preventive measures rather than waiting until breast cancer has developed in patients. Health promotion campaigns and preventive strategies have been actively advocated for (Hunt, 2001). The campaigns and preventive measures being advocated for are simple and are concerned with changing people’s lifestyle (NBOCC, 2010). These include limiting or total abstinence from tobacco and alcohol. Research done has shown that breast cancer is more evident in populous that indulge in consumption of alcohol (Breast Cancer Foundation, 2010). Keeping this in mind, campaigns have been launched to stress the need for policy change on drugs and alcohol consumption, and adoption of stringent laws on the same. Staying physically fit by exercising regularly has been stated to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. The disease has been more prevalent in over weight women than in slimmer women. One can do so by aerobics, walks, jumps, and jogs. It is advocated that one should try to maintain their weight throughout their life, since the disease is developed in weight gain in late life. There is a strong connection between the increases in weight than is acceptable for one’s height versus age, and breast cancer, attributed to production of estrogens in the fatty tissues (Brody, et al, 2008). Use of proper foods and limitation of fat intake in meals. To reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, people are advised to have low-fat meals to help maintain their weights, which are a risk factor, and fats are associated with invasive sarcoma. One can do this by eating foods with low saturated fat content like omega3 containing anti-cancer elements (Peshkin, 2007). Other foods are also good in eliminating cancer-causing agents like cruciferous foods like broccoli, vitamin c foods such as tomatoes, and low carbohydrate foods like legumes (Batt, 2003). Women especially in menopausal age, use hormonal balancing medications. These medications contain estrogens that have causative factors in developing breast cancer (Brody, et al, 2008). In Australia, women having menopausal problems are given alternative remedies to help improve their situations rather than use of estrogens as hormonal balancing tool. Nursing Roles in Breast Cancer prevention and Health Campaigns For the patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the Australian ministry of health has availed treatment by either surgery, use of chemotherapy and radiation, and trained nurses on the updates concerning the disease. They have also ease access to medication such as monoclonal antibodies, hormone blocking therapies, and chemotherapies. Nursing has been actively involved in prevention of breast cancer in Australia (Chan, 2005).  Nurses in health care facilities have freely created awareness of breast cancer. They have emphasized how it is developed, its symptoms, the cancer stages and how it can be prevented better, and its treatment. Nurses have organized free breast clinic days, and reduced the amount of money needed to procure a mammogram (Breast Cancer Foundation, 2010). Through advertisements, posters, billboards in the hospitals and other health care facilities, nurses have emphasized on proper diets, maintaining body weight that support age and height and eradication of behaviour that causes risk like excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Australia has implemented in its calendar the month of October as a Breast Cancer month, and use of pink ribbons to mark breast cancer awareness. Conclusion Breast cancer are cancers that begin to form on the breast tissues, either from the inner lining of milk ducts which causes cancer known as ductal carcinoma, or those that form on the lobules, that usually supply milk to the milk ducts referred to as lobular carcinoma. By understanding the classification of breast cancer, and the risk factors, Australian government has expressed a greater need for people to develop healthy lifestyles like eating low- fat meals, exercising, avoiding estrogens- based medication, avoiding consumption of alcohol among other things. References Batt, S. (2003). Patient no more: the politics of breast cancer. Melbourne: Spinifex Press. Breast Cancer Foundation. (2010). Home. Available at http://www.nbcf.org.au/ [Accessed 19th September 2010] Breast Cancer Institute of Australia. (2010). Home. Available at http://www.bcia.org.au/ [Accessed 19th September 2010] Brody. J., Pressman, P.I. & Hirshaut, Y. (2008) Breast Cancer: The Complete Guide. Carlifornia: Humana Press, 2002. Chan, D. (2005). Breast cancer: real questions, real answers. London: Marlowe & Co. Hunt .K.K. (2001). Breast cancer. California: Springer. Mahmud .K. (2008).Keeping Abreast: Ways to Prevent Breast Cancer. London: AEG Miller, K.D (2008). Choices in breast cancer treatment: medical specialists and cancer. Sidney: Bantam Books. National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC). (2010). Home. Available at http://www.nbocc.org.au/ [Accessed 19th September 2010] Peshkin, B. (2007). Genetic counselling in breast cancer. Sydney: IOS Press. Publishing Group. Torosian, M. (2002). Breast cancer: a guide to detection and multidisciplinary therapy. survivors tell you what you need to know. Melbourne:: JHU Press, 2008 Vainio, H. & Bianchini, F. (2002). Breast cancer screening. Sydney: IARC. Read More