...old women named Libby contracts breast cancer for the second time. In Libby’s journey throughout her treatment she discovers many physical, social, psychological and spiritual issues which affect her overall well-being. This paper will discuss how important it is for nurses to give the best treatment possible; during, between and after therapy. It will also discuss the risks of developing this cancer and how important it is to find the condition early to promote a healthier recovery (Australian Government, 2012). Reducing Risks All women want to know what they can do to lower their risk of breast cancer. Some factors which contribute to breast cancer are your age, being a woman and your genetics. These factors cannot be changed but many other factors can, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, eating nutritious food and limiting alcohol consumption. By making healthier lifestyle choices the risk of breast cancer is decreased (National Breast Cancer Centre, 2006). In Australia, breast cancer is the most common cancer; one in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. Just being a woman is the biggest risk factor for developing breast cancer. There are approximately 13,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Australia, and men may also develop breast cancer but it is extremely rare (Cancer Council Australia, 2007). Age is another important factor, the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases as you get older. In...
Words: 1902 - Pages: 8
...Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into and invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body (American Cancer Society, 2015). The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can also get it. Although breast cancer can affect both men and women, it is much more dominant in women. The risk for developing breast cancer is the highest in women over the age of 50, and it is higher for women who also have a family history of breast cancer (Breastcancer.com, 2015). Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. It’s a devastating disease, and thousands of cases of breast cancer are reported to occur among women around the world each year. Breasts contain the mammary glands which are the organs of milk production. Breasts mostly consist of adipose tissue. The breast is made up of sections, which are called lobes and each of these lobes are made up of smaller lobules, which produce milk in women (Breast Anatomy, 2015). Both the lobes and lobules are connected by milk ducts and the milk ducts carry the milk to the nipple. The lobules and ducts are located throughout the fibrous tissue and adipose tissue that make up the main mass of the breast (Breast Anatomy, 2015). Most cancers of the breast arise from the epithelium, which form the lobules and terminal ducts (Seeley, 2011 p 1042). There are a few different types of breast cancers that...
Words: 1524 - Pages: 7
...Breast Cancer Diona Curtis SPEECH 200 October 21, 2013 Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that develops in the breast. It occurs when a malignant tumor starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that invade surrounding tissues and can spread to other areas of the body. There are two forms of breast cancer, invasive and non-invasive. Invasive cancer is the serious form of breast cancer. Invasive cancer is when the cells break out of the breast area and begins to invade other tissue surrounding it. Eventually, the cells make their way to other parts of the body such as bone and organs; which is called metastasis. The abnormal cells can travel through the bloodstream and our lymph system early-on or later. Non-invasive cancer is when the cells have not left its place of origin yet. Non-invasive cancer can also be referred to as “pre-cancerous”. It can be referred to that because although it is has not left its origin, it can eventually develop into invasive cancer. Cancer can spread three different ways: tissue, lymph system, and the blood. The signs and symptoms of breast cancer vary depending on the body of the patient. The symptoms can only be felt by the patient and described to the doctor or nurse according to what they are feeling. A sign is when the patient and other people can detect a problem. Usually the first symptoms signs and symptoms of breast cancer are pain, headaches, and a lump. Other possible early signs...
Words: 1072 - Pages: 5
...5.0 Treatment and prevention of breast cancer 5.1 Prevention is better than cure: 5.1.1 Breastfeeding There are plenty of ways that might help to prevent breast cancer. Firstly, breastfeeding has played a very important part in breast cancer prevention, which is the longer the period of breastfeeding, the higher the protection of the mother and child (Mayoclinic.org, 2015). According to Komen, (2010), breastfeeding for one year might slightly reduce the chances to get breast cancer than those who never breastfed, however, mothers who breastfed for a duration of two years will have a result of twice the benefit of those who breastfed for one year. Besides, a research done by National Cancer Institute (NCI), (n.d.) shows that women who breastfeed have a lower risk to cause breast cancer, which is an overall decreased by 35% risk of breast cancer. Moreover, 5,000 cases of breast cancer can be avoided, if the new mums followed of the recommended instruction that pursue them to breastfeed their children for at least one year (Rochman, 2012). 5.1.2 Consistent medical checkup and keep weight in check Furthermore, a second way to prevent breast cancer is keeping weight in check and consistent medical checkup. According to Mayoclinic.org, (2015), states that overweight or obese women have higher risks to get breast cancer or recurrence than those have a healthy weight. A research prepared by Cancerresearchuk.org, (2012) mentioned that women who have a regular exercise about half...
Words: 1316 - Pages: 6
...Every women needs to know the facts the facts when it comes to breast cancer, every women is at risk. “Breast cancer is a multi-dynamic disease which affects the patient, the patient’s family, and society in various ways.” People should care about breast cancer because it kills men and women. It takes your friends and family members away. Now that breast cancer is being detected at an earlier stage, women are able to be treated before the cancer gets worse. Learning how many women get breast cancer and how many women die each year from the terrible disease shows me that getting and mammogram early they can detect the cancer and ultimate save women and men lives. I will be discussing about how breast cancer affects the patient, the patient’s family and society. Breast cancer can affect people in many different ways. Finding out that you have breast cancer can cause you stress like uncertainly of your future, the unpredictability of the cancer, disability, and financial difficulties. You can also be stress out about your physical appearance after a mastectomy. Losing your hair after chemotherapy, and your skin changing from the radiation therapy. You feel that everybody is going to look at you differently because you have cancer. Common signs of stress are disturbed sleep, fatigue, body aches, pain, anxiety, irritability, tension, and headaches. You can reduce stress by keep a positive attitude, accept that there are events you cannot control, be assertive instead of aggressive...
Words: 2472 - Pages: 10
...Breast Cancer Tonia Maraden CM220-51 November 23, 2012 Breast Cancer Debra Wheeler is a wonderful person and a personal friend that works with me at my part time job. She is the Executive Assistant to the CEO. In January of last year, Debra Wheeler was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. She ended up having to have single mastectomy since the cancer was only in one of her breast. She then later had to have the breast the removed and reconstructed. The way they did it was take the skin and soft tissues from the belly and use it to reconstruct her new breast. Debra’s healthy body and her positive spirit helped her to beat the cancer, now she has been cancer free for a year. She is a very strong willed person and that is why I believe is the reason that she is still here today others have not been so lucky or gave up the fight too early. With this in mind, Debra has discovered along with many breast cancer survivors that the oral contraceptives for many years were a possible cause to the reason they were diagnosed with cancer. There are more than one reason has to why we should support breast cancer. Breast cancer is something that will or has affected us all in one way or another. I. Here are some statics on breast cancer: A. A woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer every 2.5 Minutes. 1. Worldwide, breast cancer...
Words: 2227 - Pages: 9
...Breast Cancer Stephanie Shuman COM 156 August 10, 2014 University of Phoenix Breast Cancer The website for the Breast Cancer.org (n.d) stated, “About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just over 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. In 2013, an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 64,640 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.” (para.1) American Cancer Society (2007) stated, “Male breast cancer makes up only 1% of all breast cancers reported in the United States. Still, in the last decade it was responsible for approximately 2000 new cases as well as about 450 deaths per year.” (para.1) Breast cancer death rates have begun decreasing in the U.S in women under 50. It’s thought that the decreases are the result of advanced treatments, early detections through screening and increased awareness. It’s important for not only women to understand the symptoms but men, too. Every man and woman are at risk for breast cancer, and risk rises with age. Survival increases with early detection and treatment. Several of the risk factors for breast cancer are beyond their control. Genetics is the strongest known risk factor for breast cancer that women and men cannot be control. Breast cancer occurs in about 15 to 20 % of women who had a history of breast cancer on either the mothers or the father’s side of the family. On the off chance that he or she has a first-degree relative...
Words: 1699 - Pages: 7
...Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a growth of cancerous cells in the breast most common in woman, but it can occur in men. Breast cancer is caused when healthy tissue in the breast begins to grow abnormally, these cells grow and divide and create more abnormal cells forming a lump or tumor. Breast tumors can be classified as either; benign – this is a tumor that grows in one place and may not cause a problem, and is considered non- cancerous. Malignant – these tumors are invasive and grow and spread to other parts of the body, these are the cancerous types of tumors. Most common types of breast cancer forms in the lobules (these are the glands that produce milk), or in the lining of the milk ducts. Symptoms of breast cancer may be first noticed as a lump in the underarm or in the breast. The shape and size of the breast may change as well as the skin may become irritated, red, and flakey. The breast may have a bloody discharge from the nipple or be painful to touch. Some risk factors for this disease are strongly associated with a family history of breast cancer as well as dense breasts are said to be a risk factor as well. Some risk factors are modifiable, and some are not. The strongest risk factor is that of having a first degree relative of two or more, having breast or ovarian cancer. Also having the breast cancer gene known as BRCA1 or 2 mutation is a strong risk factor. Seventy percent of all breast cancer is said to be sporadic, this means these are by random events,...
Words: 602 - Pages: 3
...Concept of Cellular Regulation: Breast Cancer Student Name El Centro Community College Concept of Cellular Regulation: Breast Cancer The concept of Cellular Regulation consists of many exemplars, including Breast Tumors/Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer, Colon Cancer, Lymphomas (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s), Skin Cancer and Leukemia. For the purpose of this paper the exemplar I will be focusing on is Breast Cancer. There are only a couple of sites that are typical of breast metastasis including bone, brain, liver, and lung. When the primary cancer site has developed in other areas of the body, it is unlikely that it will metastasize to the breast. The most common sites of metastatic disease in all types of cancer is brain, bone, liver, and lung. The American Cancer Society defines breast cancer as a “malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can invade the surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body” (American Cancer Society, 2014). Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, the first being lung cancer. “In the United States over 182,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and over 67,000 cases of in situ breast cancer are diagnosed annually” (Lewis, 2011 pg. 1311). Those numbers include almost 41,000 deaths, including both men and women. Breast cancer is typically the primary cancer and can spread, or metastasize, to other areas of the body. There are...
Words: 902 - Pages: 4
...Breast Cancer in Middle Aged Adults: The Facts Shawneen Romito HCA/240 1/11/13 Debra Salyers Breast Cancer in Middle Aged Adults: The Facts Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be an extremely terrifying time in a person’s life, which is why it is important to understand the disease, evaluate risk factors, understand the causes, ways to prevent and detect, and where to turn to for help if diagnosed. Causes and Risk Factors: • Gender- Even though men can develop breast cancer, women are 100 times more likely to develop the disease, mainly because the female hormones estrogen and proestrogen promote cancer cell growth. • Age- The chance of developing breast cancer increases with age. 1 out of 8 invasive breast cancer cases are found in women under the age of 45, whereas 2 of 3 invasive breast cancer cases are in women aged 55 or older. [pic] • Heredity- 5% to 10% of all reported breast cancer cases are thought to be from gene defects, or mutations, inherited from a parent. • Family History- The risk of developing breast cancer is high when close blood relatives have had been diagnosed with the disease, for example, mother or sister. If a patient has 1 first degree relative, it doubles a person’s risk of developing the disease, whereas if a person has 2 first degree relatives, the risk increases three fold. 85% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have some form of family history. ...
Words: 720 - Pages: 3
...November 15, 2012 Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in the United States. One form of cancer that affects both men and women is breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second cause of death in women in the Unites States. According to Andolina and Lille “The year 2009 projections are 256,560 new cases of breast cancer will occur in the United States, and an additional 40,170 women will die of the disease. This means that every 12 minutes a women will develop breast cancer and one will die.” There are several types of breast cancers that are common. However, this paper will be centralized on two. These two are ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). In this paper, I will define these types, elaborate on the differences between the two and I will discuss the prognosis and the diagnosis. In concluding, I will give a brief recap of everything covered and state what I feel should be done about this trending epidemic that is affecting our nation as a whole. Ductal carcinoma in situ is defined as a cancer that starts in the ductal system of the breast. The ductal system of the breast is the part of the breast that produces milk for breast feeding. Ductal carcinoma is a non-invasive cancer. A non-invasive cancer is a cancer in which the cells remain in their place of beginning. In this type of cancer, the cancer cells usually spread into the breast tissue. However, because this form of cancer is non-invasive, there is a low probability...
Words: 762 - Pages: 4
...in your life to decrease your modifiable risk factors for this disease Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas, while those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas. Breast cancer occurs in humans and other mammals. The primary risk factors for breast cancer are female sex and older age.[19] Other potential risk factors include: genetics,[20] lack of childbearing or lack of breastfeeding,[21] higher levels of certain hormones,[22][23] certain dietary patterns, and obesity. Recent studies have indicated that exposure to light pollution is a risk factor for the development of breast cancer.[24] Smoking tobacco appears to increase the risk of breast cancer, with the greater the amount smoked and the earlier in life that smoking began, the higher the risk.[25] In those who are long-term smokers, the risk is increased 35% to 50%.[25] A lack of physical activity has been linked to ~10% of cases.[26] The association between breast feeding and breast cancer has not been clearly determined; some studies have found support for an association while others have not.[27] In the 1980s, the abortion–breast cancer hypothesis posited that induced abortion increased the risk of developing breast cancer.[28] This hypothesis was the subject of extensive scientific inquiry, which concluded...
Words: 495 - Pages: 2
...Symptoms Breast Cancer Breast Cancer The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A mass that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can even be painful. For this reason, it is important to have any new breast mass or lump, or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases. Other possible signs of breast cancer include: * Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt) * Skin irritation or dimpling * Breast or nipple pain * Nipple retraction (turning inward) * Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin * A nipple discharge other than breast milk Facts * The older a woman, the more likely she is to get breast cancer * Young women can get breast cancer, even in their 20s * White women are more likely to get breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group * African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A mass that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can even be painful. For this reason, it is important to have any new breast mass or lump, or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases...
Words: 780 - Pages: 4
...Breast Cancer Trikena Porter Class University Composition and Communication II February 9, 2014 Elizabeth Bickford One in eight women and one in a thousand men are affected daily by breast cancer. At least 410 men will die this year alone from breast Cancer and at least 2,240 new invasive breast cancers will be diagnosed. The Cancer Journal for Clinicians informs us that approximately 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,620 breast cancer deaths were expected to occur among US women in 2013. Breast cancer is rarer for men. The average lifetime risk for men getting breast cancer is one in 1000. The number of cases for men with breast cancer has remained stable over the past 30 years. (cancer.org) In the United States about 40,000 women will die from breast cancer. It is the second leading cause of death in cancer. (breastcancer.lifetips.com). Proper treatment and early detection however, can save lives. (womenshealth.gov). Life with breast cancer can be trying. A person may experience or feel helpless, depressed, scared and/or exhausted from cancer and the treatments that come with it. These side effects are normal for a cancer patient to endure. There are many ways to get help to find solutions to prevent depressions after being diagnosed with breast cancer or cancer of any types. Some people find support groups, talk to counselors, or therapist can be helpful. (ww5.kormen.org). It is always best to try to stay healthy, eat right and exercise...
Words: 1494 - Pages: 6
...Breast Cancer Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop. Cancer occurs as a result of mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. The genes are in each cell’s nucleus, which acts as the “control room” of each cell. Normally, the cells in our bodies replace themselves through an orderly process of cell growth: healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. But over time, mutations can “turn on” certain genes and “turn off” others in a cell. That changed cell gains the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more cells just like it and forming a tumor. A tumor can be benign (not dangerous to health) or malignant (has the potential to be dangerous). Benign tumors are not considered cancerous: their cells are close to normal in appearance, they grow slowly, and they do not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Left unchecked, malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the original tumor to other parts of the body. The known risk factors for breast cancer are; as with many other diseases, your risk of breast cancer goes up as you get older. About two out of three invasive breast cancers are found in women 55 or older. Women with close relatives who've been diagnosed with breast cancer have a higher risk of developing the disease...
Words: 1420 - Pages: 6
