Global Prevalence of Breast Cancer - Research Paper Example

Global Prevalence of Breast Cancer affiliation Introduction Breast Cancer refers to the cancerous cells thatform around the breast. It is a common cancer diagnosis in women especially in United States. However, it can occur in both men and women. It is a malignant tumor in the breast. Malignant tumor is part of a group of cancer cells that grow in the surrounding tissues and spreads to distant areas in the body. Most of it starts in the cells of the ducts and others in lobules and others in some tissues. These cells in the breast are abnormal and they usually multiply uncontrollably, and hence form a tumor In most cases, the onset of breast cancer does not cause pain and has very little noticeable symptoms .When it progresses; some symptoms start to show up including lymph or a small thickening near or in the breast. Other symptoms include change in the size of the breast and nipple discharge. The breast becomes tender or turns inwards and causes skin irritation. Some breasts have some form of dimpling and scaliness. However having one or more of these symptoms does not necessary mean, that one has breast cancer. Cancerous tumors sometimes invade surrounding tissues and often appear in the liver, bones, brain, or lungs. People should know the symptoms of breast cancer to ensure early diagnosis. Other symptoms include change in skin texture or enlargement of pores or selling of the breast or any shrinkage. Treatment of breast cancer has different forms that include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biological therapy, and hormone therapy. All these treatments can be used together or individually. It depends on the diagnosis and stage of the cancer .Screening of breast cancer is done at the early stages but diagnosis happens at a later stage when someone has the symptoms as discussed above. Doctors must take into consideration the grade and stage of cancer, general health, and whether a patient has reached menopause. When it comes to surgery it depends on the type of cancer someone has, which is then followed by chemotherapy or biological treatment that also depends on the type of cancer. According to Andreeva and Pokhrel (2013) Europe is divided into Eastern Europe, Western Europe. Eastern Europe has many economically, and culturally distinct nations that are marked by post communist transitions, detrimental health practices and underfunded prevention measures. Breast cancer cases in Eastern Europe are mostly diagnosed at late stages. Screening of women varies widely; about 57 percent of Hungarian women and 3% of Georgian women were seen to have been examined (Andreeva & Pokhrel, 2013, p. 2664). Immigrants in Eastern Europe have low levels of personal motivation in prevention of Breast cancer; especially old women underutilize screening in such countries. Breast cancer is common in women in England where annually 41,000 new cases are diagnosed. White women in England have the tendency to have higher cancer cases than black and South Asian women (Gathani et al., 2014, p. 224). Most black and South Asian women tend to have more children, therefore breastfeed more at the same time they avoid alcohol intake. They are also less likely to use hormone therapy during menopause as white women do. These differences in prevalence to breast cancer between black and white women are due to differences in risk factors that include age, child bearing and history of breastfeeding (Gathani et al., 2014, p. 226). Australia have the highest rates of such cancer cases as compared to those in Europe however where there are low levels of immigration and westernization like in islands the rate of breast cancer are low. According to Gathani (2014) incidences, rates of breast cancer in North and South America are mostly in Canada and the lowest rates are in Mexico. There are differences in economic development between Latin America nations. In Brazil, for example the rates in the south are higher than in the central part where it is a rural area. These countries dependency on reducing breast cancer cases is based on knowledge that might be acquired about risk factors like hormonal replacement especially among women facing menopause. Health workers must use scientific facts and evidence in reducing and promoting reduction of breast cancer rates in Latin America. In such countries, there are no organized screening mechanisms where the cases reported are diagnosed by regular health care systems. Irrespective of country, there is association between mammography use and command of the English language. Educational levels have a role to play in breast cancer screening. In Australia, these factors do not have a huge impact as they are in USA (Andreeva & Pokhrel, 2013, p. 2671). In United States the US Preventive Services Task Force gives some recommendations one being that screening mammography for all aged women above 50 years old to 70 years. Non- immigrants living in USA have proved to be an important predictor of screening behavior. In the year 2010, 67% of non-Hispanic white women and 37% of immigrant women reported mammography use in a span of two years (Andreeva & Pokhrel 2013). In US, lower breast cancer cases are found in Asian Islanders, Hispanics, American Indian, and not African American as compared to whites. This ethnic compilation in US has little resemblance to UK. The National Health Interview Survey in US stipulates that most women who are in same sex relationships have very high risks of breast cancer mortality as compared to those who are married to male partners. Sexual minority women usually have elevated risks of breast cancer and this is due to a variety of risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use together with issues in utilization of preventative health care (Cochran & Mays, 2015, p. 358) According to Cochran & Mays (2015) by the year 2015, it is estimated that US women there will be over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer. Breast cancer in men is usually rare but it happens. Estimates show that by 2015, she will be over 2,000 new cases of breast cancer. Rates of mortality and incident of breast cancer is lower in men than in women. However, survival rates for both men and women at the same if diagnosed at the same time. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in America where one in eight women develops invasive cancer in their lifetime. In 2002 and 2003 there was a large decrease in breast cancer cases, which was attributed to decline in use of hormone therapy in menopause. In USA there, are more than 2.8 million survivors of breast cancer. Florida has a high number of older adults. Incidence of breast cancer mostly increases with age and therefore Florida tends to have higher rates of breast cancer due to the number of old people living there. Reasons for choosing Breast cancer Breast cancer is a disease that has killed many people across the globe. The reason for choosing this topic is to show an in-depth analysis of risk factors associated with the disease. The analysis shows the definition of breast cancer and which part of the body it affects. It is an important disease to study since it educates people who do not have full facts about the risk factors as explained above. The disease has an economic effect and social impact to society since it takes away a person’s livelihood (Cochran & Mays, 2015, p. 362). Most people when diagnosed with it tend to lose hope in life as it is seen as a killer disease. However, the disease if detected early can be cured and this is possible with frequent screening. Studying this topic creates an in-depth knowledge as to which countries are most affected and what predisposes such countries to the disease. It’s clear from the discussion immigration has a huge role to play in breast cancer predisposition. Analyzing this disease helps one understand the different stages of the disease and at what point a patient diagnosed with breast cancer treatment can be administered. Hence, different types of treatment are included in the discussion including surgery, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Study of the disease helps one understand which racial groupings are most predisposed to be affected by the disease. For example, between blacks and whites who are most affected by the disease and what reasons make them more susceptible. Breast Cancer has increased at a high rate in developing countries and therefore it’s good to study the disease to understand why his alarming rate of increase in deaths and what measures can be taken by governments and the medical practitioners in curbing the disease and reducing the number of deaths especially among old women aged 50 years to 75 years (Gathani et al., 2014, p. 227). The disease has different symptoms from other diseases and therefore it is important to understand this signs and symptoms to educate people who may not understand changes in their body. Such symptoms if detected early can be treated without much difficulty and a patient may recover fully. The disease is a global menace since its reported in most countries and therefore it’s a crucial disease which deserves much attention .Countries have different ways of dealing with such issues and therefore identifying what works in a different country is important so as to use it in other countries where cases of breast cancer are high. Conclusion Breast cancer is a very common cancer in the world however; its prevalence is decreasing in North America. Latin America has a heterogeneous pattern that has high rates in South in Caribbean regions .Europe has high rates in the world and mortality is high in countries like Denmark. Old age population in such continents is one of the major factors of breast cancer. There have been, measures taken to reduce rates of breast cancer in the world like organizing screening programs that have improved survival of women who have been diagnosed with the disease. Developed countries have seen positive results through such programs and this program needs to be done in developing countries. From the articles, it is clear that South Asian and black women living in England have low cases of breast cancer as compared to white women. Women who have reached menopause attribute these differences to differences of risk factors like history of breastfeeding and hormonal use. Immigrants are a vulnerable cultured group whose breast cancer-screening program is needed. Eastern Europe women have inadequate programs and personal motivation in prevention programs for breast cancer and other diseases that are serious. They lack personal action and any responsibilities that contribute to higher rates of breast cancer cases due to lack of preventative measures like screening. In New Zealand, the only way to reduce risks of breast cancer is to change lifestyle habits. This preventative strategy ensures reduction in obesity and promoting physical activity. Reducing alcohol intake and HRT use. This benefits a person since it reduces risks of diabetes and cardiovascular problems. (Hayes, Richardson, & Frampton, 2013, p. 1199) Women who are also in same sex relationships tend to have higher cases of breast cancer than those in heterosexual relations where there are also high degrees of suicide mortality risk in sexual minorities where they experience greater burden of mortality suicide cases. References Cochran, D. S., Mays, V. M. 2015. Mortality Risks Among Persons Reporting Same-Sex Sexual Partners: Evidence From the 2008 General Social Survey—National Death Index Data Set. American Journal of Public Health. Vol 105, No. 2: 358-365 Hayes, J. Richardson, A, Frampton, C. 2013. Population attributable risks for modifiable lifestyle factors and breast cancer in New Zealand women. Internal Medicine Journal: 1198-1204 Andreeva, V. A. Pokhrel, P. 2013. Breast cancer screening utilization among Eastern European immigrant women worldwide: a systematic literature review and a focus on psychosocial barriers. Psycho-Oncology 22: 2664–2675 Gathani T., Ali, R., Balkwill, A.... Moser, K., A. 2014. Ethnic differences in breast cancer incidencenin England are due to differences in known risk factors for the disease: prospective study. British Journal of Cancer 110, 224–229 Read More