Breast Cancer in the Modern World

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Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the second main cause of cancer death among women. The point of concern is that it has been raised as a global issue only recently. In the past decade, the awareness of breast cancer has exponentially grown, yet many people are still unaware of it. In many parts of the world, it is considered a taboo to discuss any issues pertaining an individual’s private parts, especially women’s. As a result, the number of deaths increases as a percentage of incident cases in 2008 was 48 percent in low-income, 40 percent in low-middle-income, and 38 percent in high-middle-income countries while it was 24 percent in high-income countries according to Globocan/IARC survey (GLOBOCAN). Although, The United States of America has been highly successful pursuant to their cancer research. The fatality rates have decreased drastically due to the medical breakthroughs like mammography, advanced surgical procedures, and adjuvant therapies, which has reduced the mortality rate to 2.7 percent in the USA (Shulman, Lawrence). Although statistically the USA is a dominant figure in tackling cancer, much research still needs to be done to decrease the high rates of breast cancer (Breast cancer statistics).

        Breast cancer is the process when the cells in the breast grow beyond normal expectancy. These cells then develop, forming a tumor or a lump on the breast that is detectable through x-ray. The tumor metastasizes to various areas of the body due to its malignant nature (What is breast cancer?). The most common area for the tumor to emerge from are the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers).. Lobular cancer are another kind that stem from the glands that make the breast milk. However, a breast cancer will not necessarily cause a lump on the breast. Mammograms often detect cancer at an earlier stage before any lump emerges. There is also a need to distinguish between non-cancerous breast tumors which are not life threating or engaging towards tissues situated outside the breast. These lumps, however, increase the vulnerability towards breast cancer.

The most common route for the breast cancer to spread in the body after entering our lymph system. This is an intricate system of lymph vessels spread throughout the body connecting the lymph nodes. In cases of cancer, cancer cells can enter those lymph vessels and grow within the lymph node. If the cancer cells spread to the lymph nodes, the probability of it metastasizing in other organs of the body becomes grows. Nonetheless, there may are cases where women with cancer in their lymph nodes do not develop metastases.

        The chances of acquiring breast cancer also increase for women who were exposed to certain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, most commonly exposed to in the workplace (Brophy, James). Lifetime exposure to endogenous estrogen and exogenous estrogenic compounds enhances the risk of breast cancer. Studies with regard to occupational breast cancer hazards often lack demographic and reproductive status information or detailed work history data beyond current employment. In the early 1990s, the people of Essex and Kent counties of Southern Ontario raised concerns over Industrial workers developing cancer (Gilbertson M, Brophy J) Two exploratory breast cancer case studies were conducted by a multidisciplinary team of occupational and environmental researchers (Mills PK, Yang R). The study found that women with an occupational history of farming, auto-related manufacturing, or health care were vulnerable to obtaining the disease (Beall C, Delzell E, Macaluso).

        In addition to occupational hazards, a higher rate of alcohol consumption also plays a role. Studies have shown that women who consume more than 3 drinks a day are 150-percent exposed to the risk of cancer as the association between alcohol drinking and several types of cancer exists (Hamajima N, Hirose K, Tajima K ). The National Toxicology program of the US department of Health and Human Services has classified alcoholic beverages as known human carcinogen. Over 100 epidemiologic studies link alcoholic consumption to breast cancer. An analysis of 53 of these studies showed that women who drank more than 45 grams of alcohol per day were nearly twice as likely of developing breast cancer compared to non-drinkers (Alcohol and Cancer Risk). The risk of breast cancer grew 7 percent for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day. The Million Women Study in the United Kingdom showed an increase to 12 percent for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed.

        Furthermore, the risk of developing breast cancer also increases with age. An average woman with an 80 year lifespan has a 12.5 percent risk of developing breast cancer. The term absolute risk is often used to refer to the individual’s likelihood of breast cancer. Although, the absolute risk of developing breast cancer is lower than 1 in 8. For a 20-year-old individual, the probability of invasive breast cancer in the next decade is 1 in 1,732. For a 30-year-old, this ratio is 1 in 228. There is then a steady increase in the probability. For a 40 year old this probability is 1 in 69. It then drops to 1 in 43 at the age of 50 and ultimately to rock bottom of 1 in 26 at age 70 (Risk of Developing Breast Cancer).

        Screening is the search for cancer before a person exhibits any symptoms, which can detect cancer at an early stage. There are three different types of tests used by heath care providers to screen breast cancer. The most common is the mammogram. The next one is a Clinical breast exam (CBE). Women with a high risk of breast cancer are also sent for MRI. Simplified, Mammography is an x-ray of the breast. This test enables doctors to detect tumors that are too small to feel. Mammograms often find ductal carcinoma in situ. These are abnormal cells found in the lining of the breast duct (Breast Cancer Screening). The term clinical breast exam is self-explanatory. It is an examination of the breast by a qualified professional. The doctor feels whether there are any irregularities with the breast. MRI is the last screening test that is recommended by professionals. This procedure creates series of detailed pictures inside the body. It finds traces of cancer more often than a mammogram, but may show abnormal results even when there is no cancer.

        Cancer survivors are hailed as heroes in the modern world. In 2015, Amanda Nielle, Alamo California, underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with stage two breast cancer (Young, Sarah). Today, Amanda still reminisces of the dreadful day when she was diagnosed with the illness. She urges women to have their breasts checked. Amanda has made a full recovery and is living her life to the fullest. She credits the people who have stuck by her and the exemplary doctors who aided her in the time of need. Another inspiring story belongs to the woman based in New Jersey who has been selling prosthetic nipples to recovering cancer patients since 2011. Michelle Kolath-Arbel was a victim of this ruthless disease in 2010 (Petter, Olivia). She experienced a one-sided mastectomy that left her without a nipple, which drove her to take matter into her own hands to restore the balance. After a failed attempt at reconstruction surgery, she explored other options and started producing prosthetic nipples. She has since launched her own website by the name of ‘Pink Perfect’ and become a modern-day success story.