Breast Cancer Research Paper

Elijah Yap
English II
Mrs. Dudley
I-Search
5/30/12
Part One The topic I picked to do my I-Search on is cancer. I picked this topic because I want to go into the field of medical research on cancer; it has always been my dream to find a way to cure cancer. The knowledge of this topic at my early age I think will help me figure if I want to continue on my path or whether to detour and go into another field. From what I have learned over the years about cancer is that it is a mutation of a cell to make it infectious to other cells and it also makes the cell growth uncontrollable. If the cell is benign it is a usually a tumor and if it is malignant it is usually a cancer cell. I also learned that we sometimes have cancer cells but if our immune system is strong our bodies can get rid of them. By the end of my research on this topic I hope to learn exactly how a cancer is formed and how the doctors determine if it is benign or malignant. When I am looking for someone to interview I will start at my church because there are many doctors who I think work in that general field.

Breast Cancer
Introduction:
A. What is cancer? B. There are many types so this paper will only cover breast cancer. I. What is Breast Cancer? A. Breast Cancer 1. Tumor that formed in the chest. 2. Men can get it. B. Who gets it? 1. Mostly Women get breast cancer. 2. 1 in every 8 women get breast cancer. II. Causes and Risks A. Ongoing research to find the cause of breast cancer. B. Although they are unsure of the cause they know of some risks factors that are linked to the disease. 1. Age 2. Family history 3. Ethnicity a. Caucasian women are most diagnosed b. African American women have the most deaths from breast cancer c. Asian, Hispanic, and Native American women are less likely to get breast cancer. 4. Alcohol Consumption 5. Family Planning Choices a. If a woman does not have a baby or has a baby after 30, she is more likely to get breast cancer. 6. Genetics III. Foundations for the cause A. Breast cancer societies B. Breast cancer foundations C. The walk for breast cancer 1. There are even bracelets for the cause.
Conclusion:
A. What is breast cancer 1. Tumor in the chest. B. Men can get it C. Keep healthy 1. Do not drink alcohol 2. Check yourself for breast cancer often D. Help the cause. 1. Donate
The Search: When I first thought of this subject I thought to myself, “this is going to be really boring” but in fact it was extremely fun. I did most of my research online because I could not find people who were experts on breast cancer. As I was going through I learned many new things. For one, I did not know that more African American women die from breast cancer but more Caucasian women get breast cancer. As I studied my topic I learned many new things and I shared them with my mother so she could minimize her chances of getting breast cancer. I also asked my brother, who is in med school, about things I knew because I wanted to test him and make myself feel smarter. In trying to make myself feel smarter compared to my brother, I was completely shut down because he knew all of the information. When I first started my essay I wanted to do my report on cancer in general, but when I research a little about it I was surprised at how much there was on cancer. After my initial thought, I decided to make my I-Search about breast cancer. I thought of doing brain cancer because the brain intrigues me, but I have seen many organizations about the fight against breast cancer and I see many wrist bands supporting the cause also so I choose to do breast cancer. When I can to a close in my research about breast cancer I felt like I had learned a lot from my research. There has always been a want in me to cure what cannot be cured and breast cancer is one of the things that I want to be able to cure. Now that I know enough about breast cancer, in the future I want to study about other cancers. I want to understand how they become and how they can be stopped.

Breast Cancer When most people think of cancer they think of the people who are suffering in the hospital and have no hair, but do they really know what cancer is? Cancer is the disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. There are tumors and then there are cancers, the difference between them is that some tumors are benign, not cancerous, but all cancers are tumors. Cancer spreads to the cells around it and can spread it around the body but tumors replicate themselves and will not spread to other parts of the body. There are many cancers and one of them is breast cancer.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that formed in the breast. A malignant tumor is a tumor that can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. This disease occurs usually in women, but men can get it too. A study showed that 1 in every 8 women will have or have breast cancer. Most breast cancers begin in the cells that line the ducts (ductal cancers). Some begin in the cells that line the lobules (lobular cancers), while a small number start in other tissues. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are connected by lymphatic vessels. The vessels are like small veins, except they carry a clear fluid called lymph away from the breast. Breast cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and begin to grow in lymph nodes. If the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes, there is a high chance that the cells could have gotten into the bloodstream and spread to other sites in the body. The more lymph nodes that have cancer cells, the more likely it is that the cancer cells be found in other organs as well. However, not all women with cancer cells in their lymph nodes get cancer in other areas, and some women that do not have cancer cells in their lymph nodes can later develop metastases, the spread of cancer from its primary site to other places in the body. Most breast lumps are not cancerous (benign), but some need to still be sampled and viewed under a microscope to prove they are not cancerous.
Breast cancer, like other cancers, occurs because of an interaction between the environment and a defective gene. Normal cells divide as many times as needed and stop. They attach to other cells and stay in place in tissues. Cells become cancerous when mutations destroy their ability to stop dividing. Normal cells will commit cell suicide (apoptosis) when they are no longer needed. Until then they are protected from cell suicide by several protein clusters and pathways. Sometimes the genes along these protective pathways are mutated in a way that turns them permanently “on”, rendering the cell incapable of committing suicide when it is no longer needed. This is one of the steps that cause cancer in combination with other combinations. Mutations that can lead to breast cancer have been experimentally linked to estrogen exposure.
There are many general breast cancer terms such as carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and carcinoma in situ. Carcinoma is a term used to describe a cancer that begins in the lining layer (epithelial cells) of organs like the breast. Nearly all breast cancers are carcinomas (either ductal carcinomas or lobular carcinomas). Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), also known as intraductal carcinoma, is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer. DCIS means that the cancer cells are inside the ducts but have not spread through the walls of the ducts into the surrounding breast tissue. About 1 in 5 new breast cancer cases will be DCIS. Nearly all women diagnosed at this early stage of breast cancer can be cured. The best way to find DCIS early is a mammogram. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) starts in a milk passage of the breast, breaks through the wall of the duct, and grows into the fatty tissue of the breast. At this point it may be able to spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system and bloodstream. About 8 of 10 invasive breast cancers are IDC. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) starts in the milk-producing glands and spreads to other parts of the body. About 1 in 10 invasive breast cancers is an ILC. Invasive lobular carcinoma may be harder to detect by a mammogram than Invasive ductal carcinoma. The less common types of breast cancer include: inflammatory breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, paget disease of the nipple, phyllodes tumor, and Angiosarcoma.
Right now there is an ongoing research on the cause of breast cancer, as of right now we do not have an answer. Even though we do not know the cause we do know some risk factors that are linked to breast cancer. As we grow older out risk of developing breast cancer increases. It is estimated that 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 or older. This does not mean that younger women are not at risk. Having a relative that has breast cancer doubles your risk of the disease. Family history can play a role in breast cancer development but women without a family history of breast cancer should not believe that they are not at risk. The American Cancer Society estimates that 70-80% of women with breast cancer do not have a family history that includes breast cancer. Women who have had breast cancer before are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer again. Your ethnicity also plays a role in your risk factors. Of all women, Caucasian women are diagnosed more frequently than women of other races. Though Caucasian women are the most at risk, it is African American women who die of the disease the most. Asian, Native American, and Hispanic women have less of a risk. Women who drink alcohol increase their breast cancer risk and the risk is heightened with the amount of alcohol consumed. Women who choose not to have children or have them after age 30 somewhat increase their risk of breast cancer. Pregnancy also decreases the risk of breast cancer. Genetics also plays a role in the risk of breast cancer. Hereditary breast cancer occurs when a mutated gene has been passed down from a parent. There are several other breast cancer risk factors, such as use of hormone replacement therapy, obesity, and oral contraceptive use.
If you are looking for breast cancer there are some symptoms of breast cancer, the most common symptom is a breast lump. A worrisome breast lump is usually what provokes a woman to see a doctor, but there are several other symptoms that can be caused by breast cancer. Some other symptoms include a breast that feels warm to the touch, nipple that becomes inverted that was not inverted before, skin on or around breast is dimples or has an appearance similar to an orange peel or skin on a breast that is red or blotchy. A sudden increase in breast size that is not related to menstrual cycle, nipple discharge (clear or bloody), or nipple pain or scaly nipples can also be some symptoms of breast cancer. If there is persistent breast pain or tenderness that is unrelated to menstrual cycle, swelling of the lymph nodes of the armpit, or a breast lump, swelling, or mass may be a sign of breast cancer. These are symptoms of breast cancer that can be seen or touched, but there are instances in early breast cancer where there are no symptoms that can be detected by physical examination. Imaging tests like mammograms and MRI can detect breast abnormalities that cannot be seen by the eye or by the touch.
Regular breast cancer screening can reveal breast cancer abnormalities that require additional testing. Some women detect breast abnormalities through self-examinations at home or through a clinical breast exam by their doctor. Most breast cancers are detected by mammography. Only 10% of symptoms are initially found through physical exam. The other 90% are found through a mammogram, thus showing how vital it is to have a regular mammogram. The American Cancer Society recommends that women begin having an annual mammogram beginning at age 40. Women who have a higher risk factor are recommended to begin screening earlier. If you are experiencing breast cancer symptoms or a screening mammogram reveals an abnormality, then further testing is done to determine if breast cancer is present and what stage it is at. Further testing methods used to diagnose breast cancer include diagnostic mammogram, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, ductogram, and ductal lavage. If imaging tests reveal an abnormality, a breast biopsy may then be done. A biopsy involves the doctor removing a small amount of breast tissue that is then studied under a microscope.
There are things you can do to try to prevent breast cancer. You can self-examine yourself for abnormalities so you can discover the cancer at an early stage, which is easier to get rid of. Self examinations should be done regularly and women should get to know their bodies well so they can tell if there are any abnormalities. These examinations can also be done by your doctor, if you are not sure how to examine yourself you doctor can instruct you. Exercise may decrease breast cancer risk, also avoiding alcohol and obesity. A 2007 report concluded that women can somewhat reduce their risk by maintaining a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol, being physically active and breastfeeding their children. The World cancer Research Fund estimated that 38% of breast cancer cases in the US are preventable through reducing alcohol intake, increasing physical activity levels and maintaining a healthy weight. It also estimated that 42% of breast cancer cases in the UK could be prevented in this way, as well as 28% in Brazil and 20% in China.
Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery and then possibly with chemotherapy or radiation, or both. A multidisciplinary approach is preferable. Hormone positive cancers are treated with long term hormone blocking therapy. Stage 1 cancers have an excellent prognosis and are generally treated with lumpectomy and sometimes radiation. Chemotherapy is uncommon for other types of stage 1 cancers. Stage 2 and 3 cancers with a progressively poorer prognosis and greater risk of recurrence are generally treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation. Stage 4, metastatic cancer, has poor prognosis and is managed by various combination of all treatments from surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. 10 year survival rate is 5% without treatment and 10% with optimal treatment. Surgery involves the physical removal of the tumor, and typically along with some of the surrounding tissue and frequently sentinel node biopsy. Standard surgeries include: Mastectomy which is the removal of the whole breast, quadrantectomy is the removal of one quarter of the breast, and lumpectomy is the removal of a small part of the breast. Drugs are used after in addition to the surgery are called adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy or other types of therapy prior to surgery are called neoadjuvant therapy. There are currently three main groups of medications used for adjuvant breast cancer treatment: hormone blocking therapy, chemotherapy, and monoclonal antibodies.
Because of the visibility of breast cancer, it was the most described in ancient documents. Autopsies were rare so cancers of the internal organs were essentially invisible to ancient medicine. Breast cancer, however, could be felt through the skin, and in its advanced state often developed into fungating lesions: the tumor would die from the inside cause the tumor to appear to break up and ulcerate through the skin. The oldest description of cancer was discovered in Egypt and dates back to about 1600 BC. The Edwin Smith Papyrus describes 8 cases of tumors or ulcers of the breast. The writer wrote in about the disease, “There is no treatment.” For centuries, Physicians described similar cases in their practices, with the same conclusion. In the 18th century, a wide variety of medical explanations were proposed, including lack of sexual activity, too much sexual activity, physical injuries to the breast, curded breast milk, and various forms of lymphatic blockages either internal or due to restrictive clothing. In the 19th century, the Scottish surgeon John Rodman said that fear of cancer caused cancer, and this anxiety, learned from the mother, accounted for the breast cancer’s tendency to run in families. Although breast cancer was known in the ancient times, it was uncommon until the 19th century, when improvements in sanitation and control of deadly infectious diseases resulted in dramatic increases in lifespan. Previously, most women died before they could develop breast cancer. Additionally, early and frequent childbearing and breastfeeding probably reduced the rate of breast cancer development in those women who did survive to middle age. Before the 20th century, breast cancer was feared and discussed in hushed tones, as if it were shameful. As little could be done with the primitive surgical techniques, women tended to suffer silently rather than seeking care. When surgery advanced, and long-term survival rates improved, women began raising awareness of the disease and the possibility of successful treatment.
The pink ribbon is the most prominent symbol of breast cancer awareness. Pink ribbons which can be made inexpensively are sometimes sold as fundraises. They may be worn to honor those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or to identify products that the manufacturer would like to sell to consumers that are interested in breast cancer. The pink ribbon is associated with individual generosity, faith in scientific progress, and a “can-do” attitude. It encourages consumers to focus on the emotionally appealing ultimate vision of a cure for breast cancer, rather than on the difficult path between current knowledge and any future ones. Breast cancer culture, or pink ribbon culture, is the set of activities, attitudes, and values that surround and shape breast cancer in public. The dominant values are selflessness, cheerfulness, unity, and optimism. Appearing to have suffered bravely is the passport into the culture. The woman with breast cancer is given a cultural template that allows her emotional and social responses to be acceptable because she is going through the emotional trauma of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer becomes a rite of passage rather than a disease. To fit into the mold the woman with breast cancer needs to normalize and feminize her appearance to minimize the disruption that her health issues cause anyone else. Anger, sadness and negativity must be silenced. The culture is criticized for treating adult women like little girls. The primary purposes or goals of breast cancer culture are to maintain breast cancer’s dominance as the number one women’s health issue, so promote the appearance that society is doing something effective about breast cancer. Cancer is a prominent issue in a women’s health and should not be ignored.
Breast cancer is a tumor that has formed in the breasts. Even though women are more likely to get breast cancer, it is possible to get breast cancer if you are a man. There are many risk factors such as alcohol consumption and obesity, but you can decrease your risk of breast cancer by not drinking alcohol, exercising, and eating healthy. If you have a high risk of getting breast cancer make sure you self-examine and have your yearly checkups.

Works Cited
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. "Breast Cancer Overview." American Cancer Society. N.p., 12 March 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/OverviewGuide/breast-cancer-overview-what-causes>.
. "Breast Cancer Overview." American Cancer Society. N.p., 15 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-what-is-breast-cancer>.
. "Breast Cancer." American Cancer Society. N.p., 15 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/OverviewGuide/breast-cancer-overview-what-causes>.

Cited: Fayed, Lisa. "about.com." Breast Cancer. about.com.cancer, 14 July 2008. Web. 30 May 2012. &lt;http://cancer.about.com/od/breastcancer/a/breast_cancer.htm&gt;. . "Breast Cancer Overview." American Cancer Society. N.p., 12 March 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. &lt;http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/OverviewGuide/breast-cancer-overview-what-causes&gt;. . "Breast Cancer Overview." American Cancer Society. N.p., 15 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. &lt;http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-what-is-breast-cancer&gt;. . "Breast Cancer." American Cancer Society. N.p., 15 May 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. &lt;http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/OverviewGuide/breast-cancer-overview-what-causes&gt;.