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The Etymology of Breast Cancer, Types, Risk Factors, Detection Methods, and
Demographics.
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Table of content
Breast Cancer
What is Breast Tissue?
How Breast Cancer Grows and Spreads
Types of breast cancer
Causes and risk factors
Detection methods
The Globalization of Breast Cancer
Treatment approaches
References
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Breast Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is described as a condition in which
cells proliferate uncontrolled and replace normal cells. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer
among women worldwide, claiming around 41,000 lives each year. Breast cancer is responsible
for more than 10% of all malignancies in women and more than 20% of invasive cancers in
women. It accounts for more than 15% of all cancer deaths globally, affecting both men and
women. Breast cancer affects both men and women; however, it is less common in males. This
research paper describes the etymology of breast cancer, the various types, possible risk factors
associated with the disease, early detection methods, and the demographics that breast cancer
affects using statistics, case studies, and information from “Doing Gender Diversity: Readings in
Theory and Real-World Experience.” Finally, this study will discuss treatment options as well as
prognosis.
What is Breast Tissue?
The breast, upper chest, and armpit all contain breast tissue. Milk is generated by 15-20
glands called lobes in each breast. Tubes known as ducts link the lobes to the nipple. The lobes
and ducts have a similar structure to a tree's branches. The rest of the breast is mainly made up of
fatty tissue. Lymph nodes (small glands) and arteries transporting lymph fluid, part of the
immune system, are also found in the breast and armpit. This system or blood vessels can
occasionally allow breast cancer to spread to other parts of the body (BreastCancerNow.org,
2017).
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How Breast Cancer Grows and Spreads
Breast cancer generally starts in the inner lining of the milk ducts or the lobules (small
lobes) that feed them with milk. According to the Centers for Disease Control, breast cancer is a
malignant tumor in the glandular tissues of the breast. These tumors, also known as carcinomas,
develop when the chemical mechanisms that regulate normal cell growth fail, allowing a single
aberrant cell to proliferate rapidly (Cooper, 1970). Carcinomas, which kill an increasing amount
of normal breast tissue over time, can migrate to other body regions, known as metastasis. Other
than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women. It is a severe public
health issue in many areas of the world, but it is widespread in affluent nations. According to the
American Cancer Society (ACS), more than 175,000 new instances of breast cancer are
identified each year in the United States, with more than 43,000 women dying from the disease.
One out of every eight American women may acquire this condition (Shipitsin & Polyak, 2008).
The rate of occurrence rises with age, with women 75 and older being the most vulnerable.
Males are susceptible to breast cancer, although women are affected 100 times more frequently
than men. The good news is that, because of technological breakthroughs, a woman's options for
treating breast cancer are far more comprehensive than ever before, and effective therapy may
generally preserve the breast while improving survival.
Types of breast cancer
There are various kinds of breast cancer, which are divided into two categories: invasive
and noninvasive (or in situ). Cancer that has migrated from the breast ducts or glands to other
areas of the breast is called invasive cancer. Which include;
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Ductal carcinoma in situ. DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) is non-invasive cancer. DCIS means
the cancer cells in your breast are limited to the ducts and haven't spread to the surrounding
tissue.
Lobular carcinoma in situ. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) is a kind of breast cancer that
develops in the milk-producing glands. The cancer cells haven't infiltrated the surrounding
tissue, unlike DCIS.
Invasive ductal carcinoma is a kind of cancer that spreads throughout the body. The most
prevalent kind of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). This kind of breast cancer
starts in your breast’s milk ducts and then spreads to surrounding tissue in the breast. Breast
cancer that has grown outside of your milk ducts has the potential to spread to other adjacent
organs and tissue (Cooper, 1970).
Causes and risk factors
Breast cancer is caused by a combination of factors rather than a single cause. There are a
variety of reasons, and by examining these aspects, we can determine who is in danger. Women
aged 25 to 29 who have used or are using oral contraceptives have a 16 percent increased risk of
breast cancer. A woman's risk increases as she gets older. For example, an 80-year-old woman
has a one-in-ten risk of developing breast cancer, but a 25-year-old woman has a one-in-19,608
chance. Only around 5% to 10% of breast cancer patients have a family history of the illness.
When a child is born before 20, hormonal changes occur in the breast tissue, providing some
protection against breast cancer. Breast cancer risk is increased by 2 to 4 times if the first child is
not born until beyond the age of 30 or if no children are born at all. Secondly, breast cancer or
some non-cancerous breast illnesses in the past. Women who have had breast cancer before are
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more likely to acquire it again. Non-cancerous breast disorders, including atypical hyperplasia
and lobular carcinoma in situ, have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Mutations in the DNA. Specific genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, have inherited
alterations (mutations). Breast and ovarian cancer are more common in women who have
inherited these genetic alterations. Lastly, if radiation therapy was used in the past can be the
source of breast cancer. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts before the age
of 30 (for example, to treat Hodgkin's lymphoma) have a greater chance of developing breast
cancer later in life.
Detection methods
Most breast cancers present as a slowly growing, painless lump, however, there may be
some discomfort. A retracted nipple, nipple hemorrhage, deformed areola or breast contour, skin
dimpling above the lesion, attachment of the mass to surrounding tissues including the
underlying fascia and overlying skin, and swollen lymph nodes are all physical indications. Skin
nodules with eventual disintegration and ulcer formation can be detected in the disease’s most
advanced stages. Metastases should be sought as soon as possible to prevent future spread. The
lungs and pleura, and liver are all common locations for metastases. A nasal lymph biopsy, an xray, or radioactive isotope liver and bone scans should all be used to establish distant disease
dissemination whenever feasible (Bake, 1982).
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The Globalization of Breast Cancer
Even though breast cancer is a global problem, the way it is seen and dealt with in
different parts of the world is extremely diverse. Environmental exposure has a significant
influence on breast cancer worldwide. Contrary to popular belief, women's vulnerability to
carcinogens and other toxic substances in their daily lives is what causes most breast cancers in
the United States. Breast cancer incidence rates are more excellent in regions with higher
environmental exposures. Another factor that affects rates is culture. Cultures that minimize the
seriousness of breast cancer might have higher rates, while cultures that push for individual
screening or promote preventative measures in daily life can have lower rates (Barrios et al.,
2018).
Certain states in the United States have high breast cancer incidence rates; according to a
study by Barrios et al. (2018), our scientific and social attention tends to focus on detection and
therapeutic treatment rather than on finding out what causes it. A scientist seeking financing for
breast cancer research and finding only treatment funding responds to this unhealthy culture,
which is unfortunate. What kind of diseased culture does a daughter participate in when she
responds to her mother's breast cancer diagnosis by attending a walk for a cure rather than
writing to her congressman demanding a study of causes? A breast cancer disease culture in
America is structured to trap us into a cycle that includes exposure, screenings, diagnosis,
humiliation, and meaningless gestures of resistance. Unfortunately, we are all constrained in
what we can do. Carcinogens can be ingested at any age and in a variety of ways, though most
people aren't exposed to them until later in life.
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Treatment approaches
According to a variety of statistics, breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women
in the United States. Recent advances in the treatment of the condition, on the other hand, offer
promise for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment. When it comes to this, peptide hormones
and steroids have been studied utilizing hormone receptor analysis, which has improved the
possibilities of using these substances efficiently. Young et al. (2002) discuss the various views
in the treatment of cancer. Although the wide public sees cancer as the deadliest disease, the
authors of the article “Perspectives in the Treatment of Breast Cancer: 1976” provide clear
arguments and support them by evidence that there are various approaches in the treatment and
management of breast cancer, in particular, up to date.
The authors shed light on the first topic of hormonal responsiveness of human breast
cancer, whereby they begin by saying that the illness may show clear regressions after additive
or ablative endocrine therapy. However, they note that almost all hormone responses finally end,
which is demonstrated by the growth of tumors. The writers observe that even though these
therapies have been used for more than 30 years, the fundamental mechanisms with which they
work are still not well understood. As a result, the authors try to explain the actions of steroid
hormones, which, according to them, share similar characteristics. In this regard, they note that
whether given as drugs or secreted as endocrine tissues, steroids quickly go through cell
membranes. While inside cells, they are attached to cytoplasmic proteins with high affinity. One
point to note is that the authors note that steroid response can be initiated only in a cell by
biologically active receptors.
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In the next section of their article, Young et al. evaluate radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, and
radiotherapy for early breast cancer. To assess the effectiveness of these treatment types, they
review some studies carried out by other scholars.
Breast cancer induced by mutations in breast cancer suppressor genes is known as
hereditary breast cancer (ACCV Pg.17). Normal cells can divide abnormally due to mutations
(ACCV Pg.13). As a result of their lack of specialization, the resulting cells proliferate more
quickly, becoming useless masses of cells known as malignant tumors (ACCV Pg.13). The
technique of analyzing Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) fragments for a certain gene is known as
genetic screening. The goal is to find people who possess disease-causing genes so they may
modify their lifestyles and contribute to the development of a treatment (ACCV Pg.20).
Demographics
Every year, almost 6 million cancer cases and over 4 million fatalities were recorded
globally in the early 1990s. Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the world, and it has
increased dramatically since the introduction of cigarette smoking in developing nations. After
lung cancer, stomach cancer is the second most common cancer among males. Breast cancer is
another cancer that is on the rise among women, notably in China and Japan. Fourth cancer on
the list is colon and rectum cancer, which usually affects the elderly.
In the early 1990s, cancer was responsible for more than one-fifth of all fatalities in the
United States, with only cardiovascular illnesses accounting for a larger percentage. According
to the American Cancer Society, around 33% of Americans will develop cancer at some point in
their lives. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in both men and women in the United States,
followed by prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Despite this, lung cancer is the
leading cause of mortality in both men and women. The most prevalent kind of cancer in
children is leukemia or blood cancer. Over the last several decades, there has been a noticeable
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increase in the incidence of cancer, partly due to improved cancer screening systems, the
growing number of elderly people in the population, and the vast number of tobacco smokers,
particularly among women. Lung cancer fatalities might be nearly eliminated if Americans
stopped smoking, according to some studies.
In conclusion cancer, It is the most prevalent kind of cancer in women. When a woman is
diagnosed with breast cancer, she must decide a number of treatment choices. This procedure
might be rather demanding. Because breast cancer has no cure, there is no conventional
treatment, and each doctor will have a different view on how to treat her. She must decide which
oncologist she will consult as well as the sort of surgery she will undergo, such as a mastectomy
or a lumpectomy. Treatment options including radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy
must all be explored. Unfortunately, most women have no prior experience with this procedure
before being diagnosed. She is now compelled to make these judgments because she is afraid of
losing the struggle against this sickness.
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References
Baker, L. H. (1982). Breast cancer detection demonstration project: Five‐year summary report.
CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 32(4), 194-225.
Barrios, C. H., Reinert, T., & Werutsky, G. (2018). Global breast cancer research: moving
forward. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book, 38, 441-450
Breastcancernow.org. (2018, July 2). New research exposes inadequate care for breast cancer
patients at the treatment end. Breast Cancer Now. breastcancernow.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 14). What are the risk factors for
breast cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm.
Cooper, G. M. (1970, January 1). The development and causes of cancer. The Cell: A Molecular
Approach. 2nd edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9963/.
Reis‐Filho, J. S., & Lakhani, S. R. (2008). Breast cancer special types: why bother?. The Journal
of Pathology: A Journal of the Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 216(4),
394-398.
Shipitsin, M., & Polyak, K. (2008). The cancer stem cell hypothesis: in search of definitions,
markers, and relevance. Laboratory investigation, 88(5), 459-463.
Young, B., Dixon-Woods, M., Findlay, M., & Heney, D. (2002). Parenting in a crisis:
conceptualizing mothers of children with cancer. Social science & medicine, 55(10),
1835-1847.