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Gabriela Moreno

Professor P. Mirchandani

ENC 1101 – Project 2

February 27, 2024

Research question: How can we improve breast cancer awareness, early detection, and access to

treatment among women in Panama?

Thesis Statement: By implementing comprehensive educational initiatives, accessible screening

programs, and improving healthcare infrastructure, we can enhance breast cancer awareness, and

early detection rates, and ensure equitable access to treatment among women in Panama,

ultimately reducing the burden of the disease and improving patient outcomes.

Annotated Bibliography

“Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide”

(Łukasiewicz, 2021). BC is a relevant topic since it affects many lives. Not only does it impact

the victim’s life, but also the people that surround the patient have to go through difficulties too.

Apart from that, its incidence and risk numbers are rising with the passing of the years, which

makes it even more important that people become aware of it. All of this has motivated me to

become an advocate for the topic and to start this project, which consists of finding a way of

promoting breast cancer awareness, motivating early detection, and providing access to treatment

for patients.

“Basic Information about Breast Cancer.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 July

2023, www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.

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This website offers essential information about breast cancer, including its types and

screening methods. Breast cancer, as described by the CDC, involves the uncontrolled

growth of cells in the breast. The type of breast cancer varies depending on which cells

become cancerous, often originating in ducts or lobules. Screening tests for breast cancer

include Mammograms, Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Clinical Breast

Exams, and breast self-awareness practices. This source will allow the reader to better

understand the topic and it will create awareness in the audience. Also, it is reliable

information since the CDC is the national public health agency of the United States, and it

is up to date.

Britt, Kara L., et al. “Key Steps for Effective Breast Cancer Prevention.” Nature News, Nature

Publishing Group, 11 June 2020, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41568-020-0266-x.

The source presents both genetic and non-genetic risk factors that influence breast cancer

development. It also talks about the risk according to diversity in population and mentions

some models that try to predict women’s risk of getting breast cancer. This journal can be

employed to explain the risk factors of breast cancer and teach women what part of their

lifestyles could harm their health. The authors are Associate Professor Kara Britt, who

holds an honorary position at The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology; Jack

Cuzick (PhD, FRS, CBE); and Kelly-Anne Phillips, a Breast Cancer Trials researcher and

Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

Łukasiewicz, Sergiusz, et al. “Breast Cancer—Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Classification,

Prognostic Markers, and Current Treatment Strategies—An Updated Review.” Cancers,

vol. 13, no. 17, 2021, pp. 4287-, https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13174287.

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This review addresses the overview of breast cancer epidemiology, risk factors, and

classification with an emphasis on molecular types, prognostic biomarkers, as well as

possible treatment modalities that include Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy,

Endocrinal (hormonal) therapy, and biological therapy. It's important to note that a breast

cancer diagnosis doesn't mean a death sentence, and this source will be used to convey the

message that there are diverse treatment options available according to the molecular

subtype of breast cancer. The authors belong to the departments of Surgical Oncology,

Forensic Medicine, and Human Anatomy of the University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. The

article is open-access and peer-reviewed.

Torres-Román, J. Smith, et al. “Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality among Latin American

Women: Trends and Predictions for 2030.” BMC Public Health, vol. 23, no. 1, 2023, pp.

1449–1449, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16328-w.

This is the first study to analyze breast cancer mortality rates from 1997 to 2017 and create

projections beyond 2030 in LAC (Latin American and the Caribbean) countries. According

to it, the predictions say that Panama’s age-standardized mortality rates might go up from

10.18 to 11.09 (11 deaths per 100,000 people with breast cancer). This study demonstrates

the seriousness of this disease and can be used to encourage breast screening and early

detection and treatment. The authors belong to Cancer Research Networkings, and the

article is up-to-date research. Besides that, BMC Public Health is a scientific journal that is

open-access and undergoes peer review, focusing on epidemiology and diverse aspects of

public health.

Castro Barrios, Mayela. “ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.” Quality of Life in Female

Breast Cancer Survivors in Panama, 2013,

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www.proquest.com/docview/1428362862/fulltextPDF/B346411662E34515PQ/1?%20Thes

es&accountid=4840&sourcetype=Dissertations%20. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024.

The thesis states that breast cancer survivors in Panama have a good quality of life

perception and are satisfied with their health. This study was done using the WHOQOL-

BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument BREF) and with

the help of 263 women with breast cancer who were getting treated at the Medical

Oncology Health Care Service at the National Cancer Institute. This article is relevant to

the advocacy project because it proves that women with breast cancer are capable of

leading good quality lives. The survey has the University of South Florida IRB Approval

and the Panama Gorgas Research Bioethics Committee Approval.

“Can I Lower My Risk of Breast Cancer?” American Cancer Society, 2021,

www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/risk-and-prevention/can-i-lower-my-risk.html.

The article states that there is no sure way to prevent cancer. However, there are things a

woman could do to lower the risk of getting breast cancer. Some examples are staying at a

healthy weight, being physically active, avoiding or limiting alcohol, etc. Although risk

factors such as getting old or being a woman can’t be changed, this source will serve as a

guide to staying healthy and focusing on other risk factors that can be adjusted. This article

was published by the American Cancer Society, which is a cancer-fighting organization

with a vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Additionally, I must mention the Pink Warriors (@pinkwarriorspanama). They are a group

of breast cancer survivors dedicated to promoting sports and providing support to survivors after

the illness. Furthermore, organizations such as ANCEC, FundAyuda, and Fundacáncer, promote
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early detection and support for victims of this disease, and campaigns like the Pink Ribbon

Campaign, which takes place in October, to assist cancer patients in Panama.

These sources, and many more, are the foundation of this entire advocacy project. They

will serve in my training as a writer and advocate for this issue and they will support this project

by providing clear and objective information on which the audience can rely to learn about the

topic and create an opinion of their own.