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Nicole Matthews
Mrs. DeBock
18 November 2016
English 4
Real Word Narrative
My research project is about breast cancer because my grandma Joe had breast cancer
and she lost one of her breast. Her breast cancer levels are HER2 and that is why she lost one of
her breast. I also choose this topic to spread awareness to women so they can know how serious
breast cancer can be and they should do breast exam. For my shadowing at the Coastal Carolina
Breast Cancer Center I learned so much in the office.
On my first day going to Coastal Carolina Breast Cancer Center. Amanda she is a
employee there and she showed me where chemotherapy room, scan room, and breast exam
room. The employees at the front desk showed me that they give them question about patient
history and patient's family history. They typed information into the computer and the time when
they are going to be there. One of the patient has a huge mass that is size of golf ball. Dr.
Brackett said they had to surgically remove the tumor and when they are done they had to stitch
up. Me and the doctor went to another room it is like x-ray room also a place that remove the
tumor above the duct inside the lobule. This patient was in her 60s and they took an x-ray to see
where is the tumor. The doctors and nurse found it and started to pop the tumor, it sounds like a
gunshot. When they are done they show me lobule tumor looked like it was yellowish color. We
went to the other room it was the exam room and the women was in her 20s or 30s. Dr. Brackett
and the nurse used ultrasound to find a fluid in the breast. They have found the fluid in the breast
and the doctor used a needle to drain the fluid and the color of the fluid is a dark green.

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During the Dr. Brackett break I ask some question for the Dr. Brackett and he answered
some of my question. I asked are there different types of breast cancer. He explained that four
subtypes of cancer that is based on the DNA like A and B has 53%, tride negative 17%, HER2
and NEU has 20% of getting the cancer. I asked Dr. Brackett does treatment really depend on the
type of breast cancer. Dr. Brackett told me that treatment does depend on the cancer it starts with
surgery, radiation therapy (xrt) for the whole breast, endocrine therapy neoadjuvant
chemotherapy (nact), surgery, and radiation therapy. I asked him that do you agree with the new
guidelines for women to receive their first mammogram later than previously recommend it. The
doctor disagrees the new guidelines for women to receive their first mammogram later on than
previously recommend it. He explained that 60% people has breast cancer and why wait for two
years for just to see if they had breast cancer. 50% of people had breast cancer are occurred after
the age 65. A early stage diagnosis can increase to find the cure that they need. Mammography
scanning can decrease the risk of dying from other cancers such as BCu and B1. At least 25% for
living or getting the diagnosis. I asked Dr. Brackett that does the decision depend on type of
cancer he answer with a yes it does matter.
I ask Dr. Brackett what if someone got the diagnosis of breast cancer what decisions do
they had to make. He said when they need to do surgery and what type of breast cancer it is? Do
they need Mastectomy that is a type of surgery that removes the breast tissue and they use it to
treat or prevent breast cancer or they need Lumpectomy that is a surgical operation that removes
lumps inside the breast. Does the patient needs chemotherapy and what time they need
chemotherapy before or after the surgery? What type of radiation does the need for the whole
breast, what treatment they need, partial breast radiation is after lumpectomy it lowers the risk of
breast cancer, Hypofraction is another radiation, and observed when the patients are done with

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the radiation? What does the patient need from endocrine therapy, tamoxifen, and femara. What
stages are they at and what size is the tumor, lymph in the breast and what type of tumor?
I asked Dr. Brackett what they can do to prevent breast cancer from happening. Dr.
Brackett said to prevent breast cancer of happening is go on a diet, exercise, and take some
vitamins D. Last question says what is the likelihood of your children inheriting the cancer? Dr.
Brackett explained to me that HER, TARY, and BCa count for 10% of breast cancer and it can
multiple in the genetic syndromes and it can increase the risk of BRCA1 and 2, PACB 2, PTEN,
CHEK2, and ATM. They should be tested for breast cancer at early age. At the end of the day I
ask the employees if it is okay that I can take some pictures. They said yes but I cannot take
pictures of the patients and the name of the equipment.
For my shadowing at the Coastal Carolina Breast Cancer Center I learned so much in the
office. My first time in Coastal Carolina Breast Cancer Center was amazing that I was able to see
where they do and they show me where the chemotherapy room, scan room, and breast exam
room. My questions for Dr. Brackett was fantastic and I learn so much like he disagrees with the
new guidelines and the why prevent breast cancer from happening is exercising. Also it does
depend on different type of cancer and different type of treatment for the cancer.