Maggie Bailey December 2, 2011 Bio/ Lab C Mr.

Peracchio Cancer Research Paper

Breast Cancer Research Paper

Cancer is the second most leading cause of death in the United States, behind only heard disease, claiming over half a million lives per year (National Center for Health Statistics, 2007).. Its common to hear someone tell you cancer will most likely affect someone you know at some point in your life, if it has not already done so. Since my great-grandma and aunt died of it before I was even born due to breast cancer, I would like to do a little bit more research on it. Breast cancer is more common for women, but men can also get it too. It develops and starts in the tissue of the breast but it can rarely start in other parts also. There are two types of breast cancer. One type is called ductal carcinoma. This type starts in the tubes (ducts) that move milk from the breast to the nipple. Ductal carcinoma is the most common type. Lobular carcinoma starts in the parts of the breast called lobules that produce milk. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop breast cancer. Most cases of breast cancer are found in women over the age of 50. Women are 100 times likely to get breast cancer than men. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women.

Maggie Bailey December 2, 2011 Bio/ Lab C Mr. Peracchio Cancer Research Paper

There arent that many noticeable symptoms for breast cancer other than a lump on your breast. However, the lump may be too small for you too feel or notice. In other cases, the lump is noticeable and it can be seen. The lump that forms is painless and can be hard, soft, rounded and uneven edged. This is signs to be more cancer. Some other symptoms are: 1.) Swelling of the breast 2.) Irritation to the skin or dimpling 3.) Breast pain 4.) Discharge from the nipple other than breast milk 5.) A lump in the underarm

Some early detections of breast cancer are the lump/tumor on your breast. A mammogram is used to diagnose, evaluate, and follow people whove had breast cancer. A mammogram is an x-ray machine that takes x-rays photographs of the breast. This special life changing machine has been used for over 40 years. There are two different types of mammograms. A screening mammogram is done every year to check for any early detections/signs. A diagnostic mammogram uses the same technique but focuses on certain area(s). These types of mammograms take more pictures than the other type does.

The more common treatments for cancer are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. They use chemo to kill the cancer cells with medicines. They use radiation therapy to

Maggie Bailey December 2, 2011 Bio/ Lab C Mr. Peracchio Cancer Research Paper

destroy the cancer tissues. Also the surgeons can perform lumpectomy to remove the lump in the breast. Worst case scenario, they can do mastectomy which removes the whole breast. Seven days ago, a news article stated new ways to avoid breast cancer. avoid unnecessary medical radiation, avoid certain hormone treatment for menopause, limit alcohol and keep their weight down. (Pope, 2011) Although people are trying to get solid answers on how to avoid breast cancer, they wouldnt be getting anymore answers anytime soon. Researchers are still testing if air pollution and other chemicals in the air are a risk too.

Maggie Bailey December 2, 2011 Bio/ Lab C Mr. Peracchio Cancer Research Paper

References

Breastcancer.org. (2011, August 17). Symptoms of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/symptoms.jsp

National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. (2011). Breast cancer. A.D.AM.. Medical Encyclopedia.. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/

Tara Parker- Pope. (2011, December 7). Lowering breast cancer risk. Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/lowering-breast-cancer-risk/?scp=2&sq=breast cancer&st=cse