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Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer

Introduction

There is more to breast cancer than just gender, as age is also a major determinant. For every eight women, one would be affected with breast cancer in their lifetime, as per the statistics in the United States (Hu et al., 2021). Men are not an exemption as breast cancer can also affect them. Other factors such as obesity, menopause, alcohol, and genes also are factors that can expose victims to the risks of being affected. Breast cancer is by far one of the leading causes of death in women and also the third lethal type of cancer; the literature is directed on not only toward the symptoms and predisposing factors but also the best way to control and prevent breast cancer in the current generation.

Causes of Breast Cancer

There are several ways linked to the advancements of breast cancer; the common ones are genetic mutations and inheritance of genes such as the BRCA 1 and 2, which collectively attributes to about fifteen percent of affected victims (Harbeck et al., 2019). Breast cancer can develop through certain risk factors, such as direct family history, no breastfeeding, age, and genetics. Referring to the research questions, age is also a major area of concern in breast cancer; women above the age of thirty-five are predisposed to breast cancer, accompanied by factors such as the use of contraceptives and birth control; menopause also contributes to most of the cancer developments.

Research suggests that long-term exposure to toxins and chemicals increases the chances of developing breast cancer (Koual et al., 2020). The chemicals might be insecticides, medicines, or pollutants. Global warming and climate change is also a factor as the current generation is exposed to polluted air; this explains why the number of breast cancer has constantly been rising, corresponding to global warming (Winfecaks et al., 2019). The longer people live, the more their bodies are exposed to pollutants and toxins, and the more the chances of genetic mutations, thus exposing them to health conditions such as breast cancer. In that case, age is a significant factor of consideration; therefore, women younger than forty years are less likely to develop breast cancer (Duffy et al., 2020).

Diagnosis and Treatment

Technological advancements have immensely contributed to the healthcare industry. There is a lot of successful medical research that gives a positive perspective on how people look at cancer. The process can not only be slowed down but also treated; this is a breakthrough in medicine. Practical measures for combating breast cancer include surgery, where part of the cancerous cells are removed from the body (Arnold et al., 2022). Where surgical operation does not work, other forms such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and the use of tools such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used.

Relevance of Research

Reviewed literature in this paper pinpoints the importance of understanding breast cancer as it is one of the leading causes of death in women. Understanding breast cancer opens a new perspective of getting to the root cause of the problem, thus creating a possibility and opportunity for researchers to derive possible ways to treat and control breast cancer (Britt et al., 2020). The research also highlights and clears misconceptions about breast cancer in terms of who can get it and explains the factors that predispose victims to its advancements. In relation to the research questions, women below forty years have reduced chances of developing breast cancer.

Conclusion

Breast cancer is a major health issue that is responsible for many deaths across the world. The research has thus stated the information known about breast cancer, thus allowing researchers to fill in the gaps with what is not known to ensure breast cancer is controlled and victims are cured (Yedjou et al., 2019). Technology is advancing faster than ever, and with help from such research, the world will soon be free from it. The rest of the population can watch out for victims by offering financial, social, spiritual, and moral support and being with them every step of the way.

References

Arnold, M., Morgan, E., Rumgay, H., Mafra, A., Singh, D., Laversanne, M., ... & Soerjomataram, I. (2022). The current and future burden of breast cancer: Global statistics for 2020 and 2040. The Breast,  66, 15-23.

Britt, K. L., Cuzick, J., & Phillips, K. A. (2020). Key steps for effective breast cancer prevention.  Nature Reviews Cancer,  20(8), 417-436.

Duffy, S. W., Vulkan, D., Cuckle, H., Parmar, D., Sheikh, S., Smith, R. A., ... & Moss, S. M. (2020). Effect of mammographic screening from age 40 years on breast cancer mortality (UK Age trial): final results of a randomized, controlled trial. The Lancet Oncology,  21(9), 1165–1172.

Harbeck, N., Penault-Llorca, F., Cortes, J., Gnant, M., Houssami, N., & Poortmans, P. (2019). K. 857 Ruddy, J. Tsang, F. Cardoso.  Breast cancer, Nat. Rev. Dis. Primer,  5, 1-31.

Hu, C., Hart, S. N., Gnanaolivu, R., Huang, H., Lee, K. Y., Na, J., ... & Couch, F. J. (2021). A population-based study of genes previously implicated in breast cancer.  New England Journal of Medicine,  384(5), 440–451.

Koual, M., Tomkiewicz, C., Cano-Sancho, G., Antignac, J. P., Bats, A. S., & Coumoul, X. (2020). Environmental chemicals, breast cancer progression, and drug resistance. Environmental Health,  19, 1-25.

Waks, A. G., & Winer, E. P. (2019). Breast cancer treatment: a review.  Jama,  321(3), 288-300.

Yedjou, C. G., Sims, J. N., Miele, L., Noubissi, F., Lowe, L., Fonseca, D. D., ... & Tchounwou, P. B. (2019). Health and racial disparity in breast cancer.  Breast cancer metastasis and drug resistance: Challenges and progress, 31-49.