Essay plan for breast cancer case on joy

Introduction

 Brief description of breast cancer

 Types of breast cancer
 Symptoms of breast cancer
 Stages of breast cancer

Risk factors

 Non-modifiable risk factors

 Modifiable risk factors

Diagnostic tests

 Image testing – mammogram, ultrasound

 Biopsy- Vacuum assisted and needle biopsy.
 Genetic testing

Treatment and prevention

 Surgery
 Radiation therapy
 Chemotherapy
 Hormone therapy
 Prevention methods

Effective communication and consent from healthcare professionals and support for patients

 Information provided about testing methods.

 Clear information given about treatment methods and their advantages.
 Clear information on effects of treatment provided.
 Clear prognosis given.
 Support provided to patients.

Conclusion

 Summary of key points

 Future treatment

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a malignant growth that starts in the breast tissue. It is the most common type of
cancer among women with over 2 million new cases and nearly 630,000 deaths in 2020 only. The
different types of breast cancer include carcinoma in situ, ductal and lobular carcinoma, and
inflammatory breast cancer. The symptoms of breast cancer include new lump in breast or
underarm, thickening of breast, red fakey skin on nipple, change in skin texture and size of the
breast and breast discharge. These symptoms are displayed mainly depending on the type and stage
of cancer in a patient.

The different stages of breast cancer which show the size progression of a tumour.

 Stage 1- tumour is 2cm.

  Stage 2-tumour is 2 cm but not more than 5cm.
 Stage 3- tumour is more than 5 cm.
 Stage 4- tumour of any size growing into chest wall or skin. This would include inflammatory
breast cancer.

Risk factors

The exact cause of breast cancer is not fully known however, there are risk factor that increase the
risk of development. They can be classified as Non modifiable and modifiable.

Some of the non-modifiable risk factors of breast cancer include old age above 40, genetic mutations
(BRCA 1 and 2 genetic mutations), reproductive history, dense breasts, history of breast cancer or
non-cancerous breast disease, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, treatment using radiation
therapy.

Whereas the modifiable risk factors include Physical activity, obesity during menopause, hormone
therapy, pregnancy after 30, high alcohol consumption, smoking habits, lifestyle changes such as
working night shifts.

Diagnosis of Breast cancer

Diagnosis of breast cancer has an array of different tests and screenings. Mammograms are an Xray
of the breasts done to detect breast cancer early. The can be accompanied with an ultrasound of
the breast in women with denser breasts .

Biopsies are also used in diagnosis of breast cancer and are done in different ways. This can be
through needle aspirations, where a small needle extracts cell samples, or a vacuum assisted biopsy
where a needle is attached to a suction tube.

Genetic testing can also be done to detect expression of BRCA 1 and 2 genes.

Treatment and prevention

Breast cancer can be treated through surgery either by removal of the cancer tissue or by
mastectomy.

Patients can go through radiotherapy after surgery to destroy cancer cells with little harm to normal
cells.

Chemotherapy is the primary form of treatment if surgery is not an option. Drugs are either injected
or taken through pills. It can also be done in conjunction with the other treatment forms.

 Neoadjuvant therapy is done before surgery which mainly shrink large cancer cells and
decrease spread of disease to lymph nodes. It is used in inflammatory, HER2-positive,triple
negative and high-grade breast cancer.
 Adjuvant therapy is done after surgery to destroy undetected cancer cells.

Hormone therapy is also used as treatment in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy.

Some drugs include:

 Selective hormone receptor modulators e.g. tamoxifen, toremifene

 Selective estrogen receptor degraders such as e.g. Fulvestrant, Elacestrant
 Aromatase inhibitors e.g. Letrozole, Anastrozole, Exemestane
Hormone therapy can also be done through ovarian suppression.

Breast cancer risks can be lowered by maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation. Genetic testing for
people with family history of breast cancer to find the BRCA 1 and 2 genes.

Effective communication and consent from healthcare professionals and support for patients.

Effective communication is essential in management of breast cancer. Six themes of communication

are used to satisfy the needs of breast cancer patients. Information needs about diagnosis,
treatment options and side effects. Emotional support needs from healthcare professionals, family,
and friends. Physiological support needs on dealing with psychological impact of diagnosis. Support
in decision making for treatment options. Communication preference whether it is face to face or
phone calls. Finally, elimination of communication barriers.

Effective consent is also accompanied with good communication and is essential in treatment. Two
aspects of consent include effective communication and providing opportunity for the patients to
ask questions.

Conclusion

Education and awareness are essential in prevention as it increases early diagnosis and early
treatment.

References

Ataollahi, M. et al. (2015) "Breast cancer and associated factors: a review ", Journal of Medicine
and Life, 8(Spec Iss 4), p. 6. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319297/
Cancer.org. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-
therapy-for-breast-cancer.html
Cancer.org. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/understanding-a-breast-
cancer-diagnosis/stages-of-breast-cancer.html#:~:text=T1%20(includes%20T1a%2C%20T1b
%2C,the%20chest%20wall%20or%20skin
Chemotherapy for breast cancer - Mayo Clinic (2023). Available at:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy-for-breast-cancer/about/pac-
20384931#:~:text=Chemotherapy%20for%20breast%20cancer%20uses,surgery%2C%20radiation
%20or%20hormone%20therapy.
(2023) Macmillan.org.uk. Available at: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-
support/treatments-and-drugs/radiotherapy-for-breast-cancer
Momenimovahed, Z. and Salehiniya, H. (2019) "<p>Epidemiological characteristics of and
risk factors for breast cancer in the world</p>", Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy, Volume
11, pp. 151-164. doi: 10.2147/bctt.s176070.
Rassouli, M. et al. (2016) "Communication needs of patients with breast cancer: A qualitative
study", Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 22(4), p. 402. doi: 10.4103/0973-1075.191763.
Sun, Y. et al. (2017) "Risk Factors and Preventions of Breast Cancer", International Journal of
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