The Early Treatment Of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer has been a major epidemic among citizens all over the world. This cancer type ranks second as a killer from lung cancer. An estimation of approximately one-third of breast cancers is attributed to have a link to artificial factors [2]. They include a lack of proper exercise, alcoholism, obesity, intake of progestin menopausal hormones combined with estrogen, and finally, the failure to breastfeed.

Factors entailing hormones, for example, delayed menopause, hormones use, and menarche accelerates the disease by exposure of the hormones to breast cells. Biologically the functionality of hormones increases cell multiplication [23]. Continuous cell division leads to the damage of the DNA cells resulting in cancer. Inherited pathogenic accounts of approximately 15-20 % are known cancer cases. Although the figures might be a bit different in members of certain ethnic groups, genetic dispersion in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the most causative genes [4]. They account for 5-10 % of the total cancer cases in the world. Women at age 80 years may be at a risk of 10% contracting the disease. For those with a variation in BRCA1 and BRCA2, their risk is quite high at 70 %. At age 70 % of women with a variation in BRCA2 and PALB2, have a risk of 35 % [1]. There is also an increased risk of other genes mutating. Some of these genes include TP53 linked to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, STK11 associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, PTEN linked to Cowden syndrome, and finally, the CDH1 associated with lobular breast cancer syndrome. Height has been linked to increased breast cancer. Research has found out taller women are at a higher risk of contracting cancer compared to shorter women. A study conducted on a population of 5 million women indicated that an increase in height by 4 inches pushes the risk of the diseases by 17 % [22]. The reasons for this discovery are unclear and might be associated with hormonal variations causing high heights [20]. Another factor contributing to breast cancer is the appearance, and the end of menstrual cycles causes an increase and decrease in the disease. For females who start receiving their flows below age 11 might have an increased risk of contracting the diseases by 20% compared to those who start at age 14 and above. On the contrary, women who stop experiencing their flows at age 55 and above may have an increased risk of 55% compared to those who stop by age 50 [3]. The risk is attributed to prolonged exposure to reproductive hormones. Bone mineral density variance poses a threat in suffering from breast cancer. In postmenopausal women, high variation in the factor results in a 60-80 % risk. This is in association with women with low bone mineral density. This factor is dependent and cannot cause cancer on its own [25]. Bone mineral variation is connected to work with HR+ disease. It is mainly used to identify women who might be a risk of suffering from cancer. The variation in Endogenous hormones level contributes to breast cancer development. Women who have stopped experiencing their flows and have a high level of Endogenous hormones are at risk of experiencing the diseases twice compared to those with a lower level. This risk is also associated with HR+ tumors [20]. Psychical inactivity among women contributes to increased breast cancer cases. Women who fail to undergo physical exercises experience a 10-20% increased risk. Exercises are associated with controlling systematic inflammation, energy control, and hormone control. Diet contributes to breast cancer increment or reduction [23]. Consumption of fiber, excessive fats, soy, meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetable contribute to the increase and decrease of breast cancer. The research concluded that high consumption of soy reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer. A survey on Asian women indicated fewer cases of breast cancer. This was because of high soy in its main diet. Consumption of fruits and vegetables might contribute to reduced instances of HR- cancer. The breast cancer type is caused by a lack of carotenoids [5]. These micronutrients are high in vegetables and fruits. High calcium consumption leads to reduced effects in causing the disease. The types of diet consumption remain a subject of research for a scientist. Alcohol consumption accounts for 7-10 % of each bottle of drink consumed by women [15]. Those who take 2-3 drinks a day may have an increased risk of 20 % of contracting cancer compared to non –drinkers. Alcohol before first birth increases the risk further. Alcohol increases risk indirectly by pushing the level of estrogen high [22]. Alcohol consumption is linked to HR+ breast cancer.

Myths on the Causes of Cancer

Abortion has been linked to breast cancer. The misconception was based on previous early studies. The study caused was ruled out by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology due to a lack of substantial evidence. Later on, a panel of scientists in 2003 confirmed the inexistence of such a connection [9]. The internet and other sources have related to breast cancer and bras. This is due to the blockage of lymph flow. The scientist has not yet found a clear connection between the two. A recent survey of 1500 women confirmed no relationship between the two [14].

Breast Cancer Screening

There is a high recommendation to screen breast cancer. This was from the American Cancer Society. Screening gives a patient the risk of early treatment, reducing more complicated methods used in the treatment, or even deaths. Some of the screening methods include mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mammography is an X-ray conducted on the breast tissues. Early mammography was based on only X-ray films [8]. Advancement in technology has brought about 2-D images on breast cells. The images are captured through electronic means and displayed on monitors [6]. This improvement in technology contributes to sensitivity for women with high breast tissues and below age 50. Increased screening of women through this method brought around a 40 % reduction in Canada due to early treatment. Mammography has its limitations where it’s may fail to detect all cancer cells in a patient. In some cases, the method might lead to false information resulting in early treatment, which might pose challenges to the victim [7]. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an improved form of 2D mammography which takes multiple images. It later constructs a 3d image of the breast, which can then be examined. This method increases the sensitivity of detecting a cancerous cell in the breast [18]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a screening method that uses high-powered magnets together with radio waves to come up with an image of breast tissues. The technique is used for women with a high risk of cancer attacks [15]. The risk is among the discussed factors above. The process should not be used for women with less dense tissues and with a minimum risk of 15% in cancer attacks. Breast ultrasound is used to evaluate abnormal results from mammography. The screening method makes use of sound waves in capturing an image [11]. For women with high dense tissue when used collectively with mammography, it delivers entirely accurate results.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment can be done through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The primary aim of surgery is to remove cancer cells from the breast and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the body [8]. Removed cancer cells can also be used to determine the stage of cancer. Surgery entails removing the whole breast that is affected (mastectomy) or partially removing the affected cell known as a partial mastectomy. Surgery treatment is for those with high cancer cells compared to healthy tissue. After conducting mastectomy, the process is later followed by radiation [13]. Radiation therapy is mainly employed to make sure that all cancer cells are removed from the body. It is done on the chest walls, underarm, and remaining breast tissue. The method is mainly aimed at reducing the event of the occurrence of cancer. It reduces occurrence by 50% in a period of ten years. Radiation does not improve survival chances for those 70 years and above. Immunotherapy is a recent invention in the field of treating cancer. It comprises taking drugs that stimulate the immune system to detect cancer cells [16]. After detection, the body starts responding by destroying the cells [26]. An example is the Checkpoint inhibitors, which treat the negative subtype of cancer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, early detection of cancer-causing agents in the body can contribute to women undergoing regular checkups. Where breast cancer tissue is identified, the necessary treatment action can be taken. The earlier the treatment of the disease process starts, the lower the risk of occurrence of cancer deaths.