Breast Cancer
Do Women Really take it
seriously??
Introduction
Or she carries the breast cancer gene;
mammograms are recommended earlier
(Ramirez). Mammography research has
shown a 30 percent reduction in mortality
rates, which translates into 15,000-20,000
lives saved each year (Maugh).
All too common in today’s world is the
fearful “C” word, CANCER, and even more
terrifying for women, Breast Cancer. Breast
cancer is abnormal growth in the tissues of
the breast. It is the “most common type of
cancer and the second leading cause of death
among women” (Geehr). Research shows
that in the United States alone “182,460
cases of invasive breast cancer will occur
each year. That averages to one in every
nine women” (Geehr). The fight against
breast cancer has come a long way even in
the last ten years; however, doctors will
agree that early detection still offers the best
chance at survival. “When breast cancer
hasn’t strayed outside the breast, the fiveyear survival rate is almost 100 percent”
(Geehr), so regular breast exams are
important. Doctors recommend starting
monthly “self -exams” at the age of 20
approximately 5-7 days after a menstrual
cycle begins and a doctors examination
every three years” (Ramirez). Mammograms
(x-ray films that detect tumors that are too
small to feel) are recommended every 2
years after the age of 40, however, if a
woman has a family history of breast cancer
Each year the month of October is set aside
for breast cancer awareness. Organizations
like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
and Yoplait’s pink lids campaign and many
others come together and have many events
such as a coin toss at an NFL football game
and a marathon race. Each year in many
states across America, women come
together and run to honor those who have
survived or those who have lost the battle of
breast cancer. These organizations offer free
mammogram testing and information on
breast cancer and promote awareness in
every woman to encourage early detection.
They also raise funds for more research and
better treatments as they work to find a cure.
This got me thinking, with so much effort
put into making women aware and
promoting the importance of early detection,
how many women are actually taking the
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Steps? How many women are doing selfexaminations? How many are getting
Doctors exams? Just how important is the
issue of Breast Cancer? My field research is
based on a small number of women. My
goal was to gain insight into how effective
the breast cancer campaign is to women. My
hypothesis is that older women ages 40-50
care more about the issue of cancer than
those of a younger age and that unless a
woman has been affected by breast cancer,
whether it be personal or by association,
most don’t think about the issue. What I
discovered was shocking. I found more
women in their 20-30’s care a lot more
about the issue of cancer and are more likely
to do self-exams and that older women are
not as concerned about breast cancer and
often forget to test or rarely think about it.
Method
To obtain the information needed for my
research I used the social networking site
Facebook. I posted a series of survey
questions to every woman on my friends list
ranging in ages 18-70 years old. I asked how
they would rate the importance of breast
cancer to them. Do they do self-exams and
how often? Do they go to the doctor for
clinical breast exams and why do they or
don’t they do them? As surveys came back I
collected the data by age ranges and found
some interesting results.
Results
It was no surprise that all of the women
between the ages of 18-20 did not think the
issue of breast cancer was important and
none of them have ever done a self-exam
and have never had a doctor’s clinical exam.
Their reasoning was that they are simply too
young to get it so why worry about it. In
women ages 21-30, those who know
someone with the disease find breast cancer
important and most do self-exams on
average every three months as well as have
clinical exams. I also found that the women
in this age group that work in the healthcare
field are more diligent in their testing and
encourage others to perform self-exams. I
found that most of the women between the
ages of 31-40 are more concerned about
breast cancer, especially if they have a
family history of the disease. These women
were more likely to perform self-exams once
a month and have talked to their doctors and
have already had mammogram testing. The
others in this age range that do not have a
family history of the disease find it
important and go to clinical exams but are
more sporadic in self- exams. Women ages
41-70 seemed to fall into two separate
categories. One, these women are the ones
who think breast cancer is a critical issue,
they have either had it or have it, or have
known many loved ones who have. They are
very proactive in both self and clinical
exams and encourage every woman to do
self-exams and to see a doctor regularly. The
second category of women thinks the issue
is important but has not come into contact
with it. They do not conduct self- exams but
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they do see their doctors for clinical exams
occasionally.
Breast Cancer Screening Research Results
20
18
16
14
12
Self exams yes
Self exams no
10
Clinical exams yes
8
Clinical exams no
6
4
2
0
18-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
activities during breast cancer awareness
month than those who do not. The good
news is, there will always be a breast cancer
awareness month, and research for new
treatments will continue with or without
every woman taking an active role in the
cause, so those that may not be affected by
cancer now will still benefit from the
research if they need it later and hopefully
by then breast cancer will have a cure.
Conclusion
After looking at the field research results. I
found that women for the most part do care
about breast cancer awareness; however,
they are more likely to be proactive in the
fight against it if they have been affected by
it. A woman with breast cancer or a woman
that has a loved one or friend with the
disease is more likely to participate in the
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Works Cited
Geehr, Edward C. "10 Life-Saving Breast Cancer Facts." Women's Health Issues | Women's
Health Questions & Answers | Women's Health Articles | Lifescript.com. Web. 30 Sept. 2011.
<http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Conditions/Cancer/Breast-cancer/10_LifeSaving_Breast_Cancer_Facts.aspx?p=1>.
Maugh II, Thomas H. "Mammogram Study Shows Major Benefit." Los Angeles Times. 28 Jun
2011: AA.1. SIRS Researcher. Web. 30 Sep 2011.
Ramirez, Marc. "Understanding Breast Cancer." The Seattle Times (Seattle, WA). Sept. 9 1998:
E1-E2. SIRS Researcher. Web. 30 Sep 2011.
1.
In what specific passages have I developed my topic thoroughly, especially by answering
questions my readers are likely to have? What are some passages in which you have
questions about what I say, either because my writing seems unclear or because you think
my audience would disagree? What are some strategies I might use to make my report
clearer, more complete, or more credible?
I like your explanation of the results. I think they are clear and to the point. I feel your
'Methods' section was the weakest section, see the comments I put on the side.
2. What portions of my introduction seem likely to engage the interest of my intended
audience? What are some strategies that might make the introduction more engaging?
I like the introduction. Highlighting published facts and information to draw the reader
into your report.
3. How would you describe the voice I have created? At what points does that voice seem
appropriate, given my intended audience and the subject matter of my report? What
strategies might help me make the voice clearer or more appropriate?
I think the voice you've created is one of concern and diligence. It comes through on all
parts of the paper.
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4. What are some words or phrases that provide a clear structure for my report, making
information accessible, creating clear expectations for readers, and indicating links
between paragraphs or larger sections of text? What strategies might I use to make the
structure of my report clearer?
The structure is pretty straight forward for a research report type of paper.
5. Is the conclusion of my report effective? What strategies might I use to make it more
effective?
I love the first part of your conclusion, it's very straight forward and to the point. See the
comment I wrote on the side by it for more discussion on your conclusion.
6. Does the visual design make the report informative and credible? Are there any points at
which I need to add more visual elements? If so, what should they be—headings,
pictures, bulleted lists? At what points do I need to add or revise captions for pictures or
legends for charts, graphs, and maps?
I think the pink ribbon graphic up front is very good and clues the reader in right away to
the general topic of cancer/cancer awareness. The graph is also good, but I included
some comments off to the side of it that I think will help it be a better graph.
Overall I think this was a very good question asked, and a very good start on answering
it.
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