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Juan Delgado

Community Report (Breast Cancer)

April 4, 2012

A.J. Lechuga

Abstract
This report should clarify the causes and symptoms of breast cancer. Although there are many distinct types of cancer this report will focus specifically on breast cancer. There are two different kinds of breast cancer, ductal and lobular. Using various sources, this report should also state some treatments targeted at breast cancer. It should also help explain which treatments are better than others. Once all the information has been provided, it will hopefully inspire the readers to take action, or at least to better understand the disease.

Breast cancer is a disease that affects both men and women. It is important to know that cancer is very deadly. It is also important to understand how it can originate and what the common symptoms used to identify breast cancer are. There are different treatments for each kind of breast cancer. The main type of cancer this report will focus on will be the treatment for triple negative breast cancer. Triple negative breast cancer treatment involves an adequate combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. As stated by the National Cancer Institute in an article published in PubMed journal titled Breast Cancer Treatment, the breast is made up of lobes and ducts. The two types of cancers are lobula carcinoma and ductal carcinoma. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma, which begins in the cells of the ducts. Cancer that begins in the lobes or lobules is called lobular carcinoma and is more often found in both breasts than are other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer in which the breast is warm, red, and swollen.(National Cancer Institute March 22,2012). The National Cancer Institute has listed a variety of different symptoms and possible causes. The main causes include: Age and gender, family history, genes, menstrual cycle, alcohol use, radiation and childbirth. Most people who get breast cancer are either women or above their fifties. About 20-30% of people who have breast cancer, had a relative who previously had the disease as well. The highest possibility of getting breast cancer comes from gene mistakes. Gene defects in BCRA1 or BCRA2 (which are simply names for specific genes in the breast) give women 80% chance of getting breast cancer. Women who had their first period before the age of twelve, or who went through menopause late in their fifties, have an increased chance of breast cancer as well. Drinking one or two beers a day, also increases the risk of breast cancer

dramatically, this is typically the cause for men. It is very well known that exposure to radiation increases the risk of not only breast cancer but any type of cancer enormously. Childbirth is a weird kind of cause to breast cancer. Having a child before the age of 30 decreases the risk of getting breast cancer. The main way people discover they could have breast cancer is usually by a small lump on their chest. Mens main symptoms are breast pain, tenderness and a lump. Womens symptoms include bone pain, weight loss, skin ulcers or swelling of arm next to breast with breast cancer. Medicine and technology have greatly developed in the past few years. This has increased the number of diagnosis of cancer as well as the number of treatments available. Although there is no known cure yet, some treatments are highly effective. The first step is to identify if there really is breast cancer. According to another article in the PubMed journal, posted by the National Cancer Institute, (Chen Y.B. Zieve. D, Breast Cancer) the main ways breast cancer is diagnosed are by use of machines. A Breast MRI, which helps identify the lump or evaluates any abnormalities on the breast. A breast ultrasound is another way which shows whether there is fluid in the lump. A mammography is used to help screen for breast cancer or identify the lump. One last form to diagnose breast cancer is the sentinel lymph node biopsy. This is a test performed to see if the cancer has spread. Once breast cancer is diagnosed, it is important for the physician to identify which type of treatment will be used. Treatments are based on a variety of different factors. These factors can range from place of cancer to stage of cancer. Treatments are based on many factors including type and stage of cancer or whether the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones.(Chen Y.B., Zieve. D., Breast Cancer). The main treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Radiation is used to destroy cancerous tissue. Surgery is used to remove the

cancerous tissues, and chemotherapy is a medicinal treatment used to kill the cells. A newer type of treatment involves biologic therapy, or targeted therapy. This therapy uses special anticancer drugs that target certain changes in a cell that can lead to cancer. (Cheyn Y.B., Zieve D. Breast Cancer). All of these treatments have been developed by professionals in an attempt to cure this deadly disease. There are four stages of cancer labeled 1, 2, 3 or 4. Women with the first three stages are treated very cautiously. The majority of cancer treatments stated previously are targeted to women with either stage 1, stage 2, or stage 3 cancer. Physicians dealing with patients in the first three stages are trying to remove the cancer cells. Women with stage 4 breast cancer are fighting to stay alive. The ultimate goal of physicians dealing with a stage 4 cancer patient is to help them live longer. Once a person has stage 4 cancer it is nearly impossible to cure her. Many people in the world are struggling with this deadly disease. The best way to defeat such a powerful disease is by having a support group. This could include anyone such as a family member, a close friend, or an actual group or organization such as that of Breast Cancer Awareness. These organizations are formed by millions of volunteers and health professionals who join forces to fight breast cancer. These professionals have implemented new technology which has helped improve the quality of the treatments and therefore helped more people survive breast cancer. According to U.S. Statistics, about 40,000 women were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer. However the number wasnt as high as expected. The decreases are thought to be the result of treatments and early detection through screening. In 2011 alone there were 2.6 million breast cancer survivors. (Breastcancer.org). These high number of survivors prove that advances in medicine are crucial in the fight against breast cancer. Volunteers who organize charity events and raise awareness have made a great impact on society.

It is important to help others, and know the causes of breast cancer. Every day people provide support and help to those who require it. Blogs have been created in order to provide support and share experiences with cancer. A blog created by Jacki Donaldson provides access to anyone who is willing to share their story. Many people have shared their stories of inspiration and support. Although not all of the stories refer to breast cancer. Many stories are from different cancers. Some people share the story of what their respective physician did while treating them, then they recommend specific doctors and even specific treatments. One person named Donna Peach wrote a three part blog on What Cancer Feels Like. During this she expresses her feelings and thoughts of having breast cancer. She shares her fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to deal with a deadly disease while still having to take care of her two children. She also tells how every woman feels while being at the doctor and being afraid of hearing a confirmation for cancer. Jacki states paralyzing fear when the doc says about the bump after an ultrasound, I want that out and in a jar. I ask, Could it be cancer? She says, Yes.. Jacki is just one of many people dealing with breast cancer. There are many men and women who have to suffer through this deadly disease and feel alone. It is the obligation of every human in the world to support and help each other. Although volunteering and donating money may seem like a waste of time, it is crucial and essential for the survival of each and every one of those 2.6 million survivors in 2011. Being united and supporting others is the best way to beat this disease and finally find a cure.

Works Cited Breast Cancer Organization (March 14, 2012). U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. Retrieved from: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics.jsp Chen Y.B. Zieve D. (December 15,2011) Breast Cancer. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/ Jacki Donaldson. (2004) My Breast Cancer Blog. Retrieved from:
http://cancerspot.org/category/my-story/

National Cancer Institute (November 4, 2011)Breast Cancer Treatment(PDQ).Pub Med Health. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0032825 National Cancer Institute. (October 15,2009) What you need to know about breast cancer. National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet (NIH Publication No. 09-1556) Syse A, Aas GB, Loge JH. (March 2012). Children and young adults with parents with cancer. Dovepress Journal Vol.4 (41-52). Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/CLEP.S28984 Yagata H, Yuka. Kajiura, Yamauchi H.(2012) Breast Cancer. Vol.18,(3) pages 165-173. Doi: 10.1007/s12282-011-0254-9.