Immanuelle Polite

Maite
Grammar and Research VIII-5B
8 December, 2014
Breast Cancer
Currently, 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast
cancer is a tumor, an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells, in a womans breast that has the
capability to spread and invade other cells. There are many stages and types that will affect a
womans life. Also treatment and new medicine can make a positive effect on breast cancer. Then
we go on to prevention and causes.
Every woman is at risk of breast cancer. As women get older their risk of developing
cancer increases regardless of their families genes. The most important classification of breast
cancer is the tumor. The main tumor begins in the breast itself, which is made up of clumps of
cells. The tumors capability to spread and invade defines cancer to the tumor. Cells from the
tumor break off and travel through lymph system and blood vessels to other parts of the body
where they turn into tumors. Once it becomes invasive its more beyond the breast to a region of
lymph nodes. Also cancer cells may also invade blood vessels where the cancer is. By the time a
woman feels the lump in the breast it is 0.4 in diameter and has 1 million cancerous cells. In
2007 doctors have found 170,000 new cases of cancer. About 40,000 women die breast cancer
each year. (Fredericks 13).

Secondly, there are 4 stages of breast cancer. Stage 1there is no cancer in the
lymph nodes. Also in stage 1 the lymph node is no bigger than 2cm. Stage 2 is when
the cancer is in the lymph nodes. Also in stage 2, the lump is in between 2-5 cm.
Stage 3a the lump is larger than 2cm or smaller than 5cm but lymph nodes have
grown into each other. Stage 3b- the cancer is in the tissue near the breast or is in
lymph nodes inside the chest wall. Stage 4 the cancer has spread beyond the armpit or
to other organs (Fredericks 14).
Third, breast cancer exists in two major forms invasive and noninvasive. Invasive
breast cancer is more serious than noninvasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer
penetrates normal breast cancer tissues and spreads to other parts of the body.
Noninvasive breast cancer, also known as Sito are restricted to the breast tissue where
they develop. Noninvasive breast cancer includes and early stage of ductal cancer
called ductal carcinoma. Ductal carcinoma begins in ducts Lobular cancer begins in
the glands, it is considered to be a minimal breast cancer (Carey).
Next, most patients with breast cancer have surgery to remove the cancer from the
breast. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is then followed by surgery. Chemotherapy is a
cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells. In addition
treatments radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high energy x-rays or
other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. Hormone
therapy is a cancer treatment that removes hormones or blocks their action and stops
cancer cells from growing. Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors are therapy drugs that block
signals needed for tumors to grow. Alas, treatment for smaller cancer, chemotherapy,
radiation, lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. (Fredricks 27-31)

Also, more imaging centers are switching from film to digital. Using
mammography picks up tumors 80%-90% more. Mammography is an advanced
technology. Instead of getting treatment every week for 6 weeks, some new protocols
deliver the same amount of radiation doses in one to two weeks. Radiologists can
enlarge suspicious areas on an electronic image more easily. Hormone receptor works
inside the cells rather than MRIs. Two new types of drugs to prevent cancer are
trastuzumabor Herceptin and pills called lapanib also called tykerb are drugs of the
future. A new genetic test is ecotype DX which tells a woman if the cancer will recur.
Aromatase inhibitors are a new class of drugs that prevent cells from making
estrogen, which stops tumor growth. Doctors are improving our ability to do good
molecular diagnoses so we know exactly which drugs to use. There are now new
techniques in partial breast irradiation for women with early cancer.
Additionally, the exact cause of many cancers is not known. There is no single
cause. A gene BRCA repairs damaged DNA. DNA is damaged by carcinogens. If a
copy of BRCA has a heredity mutation the backup will function. If something
happens to the back up the body can no longer repair damaged DNA. A cell either has
a hereditary or carcinogenic has developed a mutation in a critical part of its DNA.
That mutation changes the cells potetional, genetic hormonal, environmental, factors,
aging, and acquiring genetic abnormalities alterations to genes or chromosomes. A
cell either has a hereditary or carcinogenic has developed a mutation in a critical part
of its DNA. That mutation changes the cells potential behavior. You can also get
cancer by a history of abnormal breast biopsies, previous history of breast cancer. A
cause of breast will acquire many genetic abnormalities. Also results from a series of

events transform a normal cell to abnormal cells. Next, having no children or having
them for the first time after the age of 30 can cause breast cancer and breast exposure
to radiation can cause. Having your period before 12 ,and menopause after the age 55.
Obesity-high fat and daily alcohol consumption of 2 or more drinks can cause breast
cancer as well.
Lastly, physicians may offer additional treatment to prevent cancer from reappearing.
They test some of the cancer cells for the presence of specialized proteins on or in a cell. Women
can also get a preventive mastectomy. Next, chemotherapy drugs have toxic effect on cancer
cells. Vitamins and minerals have been studied for their possible effect for prevention. Lighnan
are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that can help prevent cancer. Also less intake
of dietary fats reduce the risk of breast cancer and eating soy foods prevent breast cancer. Last
but not least, physical activity helps prevent breast cancer.
In conclusion, breast cancer has affected many women, but a lot have overcome it. They
have overcome breast cancer from treatment. As well as new medical treatments. We now know
that many things can help prevent cancer. We also know that there are many causes, but we have
women can overcome.