BREAST CANCER
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Research question
What is the link between genes and breast cancer?
Introduction
Breast cancer is a major health concern the world over affecting a majority of people across all ages. It is killing an immense number of people hence becoming one of the world’s most dreaded killers. Wicha & Al-Hajj (2003) say that breast cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States women, accounting for over 40,000 deaths per year. This information calls for extensive research in this area in order to remedy the situation and save many lives from being lost prematurely.
Therefore, the goal on this paper is to look into the link between the genes and breast cancer. The study will also find out how many times women in the United States go for screening, why African American women are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer and the importance of cost as a barrier to women who want to obtain mammograms.
Statement of the problem
The ramification of breast cancer especially to the women population in the United States has necessitated further research into the problem. If the deaths arising from this disease are to be curbed, then proper research has to be conducted with a view to finding ways of coping with this problem.
Objectives
The objectives of the research will therefore be:
1. To find out the link between genes and breast cancer
2. To establish how often women in the United States undergo breasts screening
3. To find out why African American women are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer
4. To find out the cost implication to women who want to obtain mammograms
Literature review
Al-Hajj & Wicha (2003) argue that above 40,000 women lose their life annually because of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the United States about 203,500 new cases are diagnosed and about 40,000 women die every year from cancer originating in the breast (America Cancer Society, 2001). This is a serious implication to the health sector and therefore needs all the stakeholders working out a way to prevent these deaths. In this regard, resources should be availed for research in this area.
Researchers in this field have linked genes to breast cancer. It is stated that about five percent to ten percent of breast cancer are thought to be hereditary, that is, abnormal genes passed from parents to children cause them (Breastcancer.org, 2014). According to the organization’s website, most cases of breast cancer are associated with two abnormal genes. These are BRCA1 and BRCA2 (Breastcancer.org, 2014). According to the site, the work of BRCA is to repair cell damage and keep the breast cells growing normally. However, if there is an abnormality in these genes or there are mutations that are passed from one generation to another, they fail to function normally and increase the risk of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society argues that women from families with a history of breast cancer are at a greater risk of developing it (American Cancer Society 2001).
Screening of women for breast cancer is very important. This is so because if cancer is detected at the early stages, it is easy to manage and can even be treated. From the age of 20, it is recommended that women undergo clinical breast exam every three years and be made aware about changes in breast (Smith, 2010). From age forty, women who are at average risk should go through clinical breast examination and screening mammography annually (ibid). Those at high risk, that is, women with inherited susceptibility to breast cancer or chest radiation at a young age should be screened with mammography and breast MRI annually at the onset of age thirty (ibid). With this information at hand, it is pertinent that the researcher finds out how many times women in the United States go through screening and whether they are even informed about it. This data can only be obtained by going to the women themselves.
In terms of race, the African Americans are more likely to die than white Americans are even though generally white women are more likely to develop breast cancer than African American women are. In the age of 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women (American Cancer Society, 2014). The reason African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than the white can be attributed to cost. Many of them are less likely to go through early detection and hence more prone to death by breast cancer.
The cost of obtaining mammograms for women is very important. Cost and lack of insurance were cited as the biggest barriers to mammograms according to a survey from the society for Women’s health (PR Newswire, 2014). Early detection is the secret to proper management of breast cancer. It is easy to treat the disease in the early stages. Therefore, if women cannot go through screening because of the cost implication, then there is danger.
Information gathered from the data obtained
From the literature available, it is certain that there is a link between breast cancer and genes. With findings showing that between five and ten percent of breast cancer cases are genetically related, then this connection cannot be underestimated. It is argued that those who come from families with a history of breast cancer are more likely to develop the disease.
In addition, it is important for women to go through screening. It is easier to treat breast cancer if is found early and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. However, the cost implication is very important to consider in dealing with breast cancer (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Consulting a health practitioner is therefore very important.
Through the data collected, it is possible to conduct an extensive research that will be useful in determining the possibility in dealing with breast cancer. From this information, the study will concentrate in interviewing women and medical practitioners in order to get enough data for the report.
Implications for health administrators
It is in the best view that this data will be crucial in informing health administrators on how to deal with the disease. It will inform them of the importance of creating awareness among women for early screening of breast cancer. It will also help them come up with ways of subsidizing the cost of mammograms so that more women can get access and prevent the so many deaths arising from breast cancer.
One of the greatest challenges however to the collection of data in this research will be cost. Since the research will require extensive travelling and interviewing as many women as possible who will be representative of the wider population, many finances will be needed. Another challenge will be convincing the women to participate in the research.
To overcome these challenges however, foundations dealing with cancer management in the country will be approached for assistance. While presenting the objectives, the foundations will be shown the need for extensive research in this area and hence the need to finance such a course. Awareness among the women population on the need for early screening of the disease will also be created. The statistics speak for the problem, breast cancer is taking many lives, and therefore there is need for analysis of these data in order to deal with the disease effectively.
Conclusion
The quest for extensive research on breast cancer cannot be overemphasized. Such a research needs to take into consideration the importance of creating awareness among women for early screening. It should also find a way of coming up with a cost effective way of dealing with the problem in order to enable as many women get access to medical facilities that do mammography. These services should be made available to the population closer to their residences as much as possible. If this is effectively done, there is no doubt that the many deaths arising from breast cancer will be contained and contribute actively to the economy. The cost of dealing with breast cancer should not be viewed only in monetary terms but in its wider scope. It is possible to overcome this nightmare and save our women from this horrific death.
References
Al-Hajji, M. & Wicha, M. (2001). Identification of tumorigeneric breast cancer cells. Retrieved: December 8th, 2014 http//www.pnas.org
American Breast Cancer Society (2001). A breast cancer journey: Your personal Guidebook. American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society (2014) Breast cancer risk factors. Retrieved: December 8th, 2014 http//www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-risk-factors.
Breastcancer.org. (2014). Risk factors. Retrieved: December 8th, 2014 http//www.breastcancer.org/risk/factors/genetics
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Breast Cancer. Retrieved: December 8th, 2014 http//www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basicinfo.
Clarison, J., Heinrick, T., & McCannon, R. (2010). How often women should be screened for breast cancer. Retrieved: December 8th, 2014 http//www.currentpsychiatry.com/articles/medicine-in-brief/article/how-often-should-women-be-screened-for-breast-cancer.
PR newswire (2014). Women want breast cancer screening with better detection and fewer follow up tests. Retrieved: December 8th, 2014 http//www.prnewswire.com
Smith, R. et al (2010). Cancer screening in the United States: A review of current American Cancer Society Guidelines and issues in cancer screening. CACancer J Clin