Breast Cancer, Research Paper Example

Breast cancer is a common and feared type of cancer by many women.  While the effects are not as devastating as in previous years, it is still a prominent medical topic for many.  Awareness and support for breast cancer continues, as does methods for treating the feared cancer.

Description

Breast cancer is a type of cancer which develops in the breasts of men and women, though it is much more common in women.  After skin cancer, it is the most common type of cancer that is diagnosed in women in the United States (International Agency for Research on Cancer).  Improved methods and support for fighting breast cancer has led to better survival rates.

Causes

It is not clear as to the cause of breast cancer.  For some genetics plays a factor in the risk of breast cancer, yet this is not a major factor in most cases.  Other than the abnormal growth of breast cells, there is not clear indication of the major causes of breast cancer.

While there are no known causes of breast cancer, there are a number of risk factors that can increase one’s chances of developing breast cancer.  The primary risk factors for breast cancer include: obesity, consumption of alcohol, increasing age, being a female, family history of breast cancer, personal history of breast cancer, radiation exposure of the breast, inherited genes that become mutated (such as BRCA1 and BRCA2), beginning your period at a younger age, beginning menopause at an older age, having your first child at an older age, and postmenopausal hormone therapy.  Those that are at an increased risk should consult with their doctor appropriately.  In terms of diet, there is no evidence that diet can reduce or alter breast cancer risk (Miller 64).

Treatment

There are a number of different methods used to treat breast cancer.  Often those diagnosed will find a combination of certain treatments, along with other guidelines that will help in the battle.  In most cases, surgery and an additional treatment is used, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation.

Primary

Breast cancer surgery is used to remove the tumor, tissue, or lymph nodes in the breast.  A lumpectomy removes the tumor and a small area of healthy tissue that surrounds the tumor.  A mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue, where there are variations as to what exactly is removed.  Sentinel node biopsy refers to the removal of one lymph node, which targets the lymph node where lymph drainage is received from the cancer.  Axillary lymph node dissection targets several lymph nodes where the cancer has spread.  Complications exist for these types of surgery, and vary accordingly.

There are three main types of therapies used to treat breast cancer.  Radiation therapy refers to the use of beams of energy to kill cancer cells.  This can be performed externally or internally.  Chemotherapy utilizes drugs to destroy cancer cells; it is used often before surgery in women with larger breast tumors, and in those where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.  Hormone therapy treats breast cancers that are sensitive to hormones.  It is often used following surgery or other treatments in order to decrease the chance that breast cancer may return.

Uncommon Methods

Two more uncommon methods of treating breast cancer exist in targeted drugs and clinical trials.  Targeted drugs are used to focus on specific abnormalities within the cancer cells.  Clinical trials are used to study newer methods of treatment, which may or may not be as effective as current methods of treatment.

Alternative medicine can be used to help with the side effects of breast cancer.  This is especially the case in respect to cancer-related fatigue.  Gentle exercise, methods to managing stress, and relaxation techniques are all examples of such alternative methods.  They are used to complement the primary treatments given for breast cancer.

Relationship to Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can play an important role in the treatment of breast cancer.  As Irion points out, “It has been widely reported in the literature that women have rehabilitation needs following surgery and the adjuvant therapies for breast cancer” (505).  Thus the therapist can be quite relevant to breast cancer patients, most commonly in the rehabilitation following breast cancer surgery.

Physical therapists help to deal with the common problems that are identified for breast cancer patients after surgery.  Among some of the problems experienced are limited shoulder motion, edema, fatigue, and general pain (Irion 505).  Irion also notes that advances in breast conservation and the sentinel node biopsy will help lessen some of these problems (505).  However, it is important to recognize the value of physical therapy in breast cancer.

The physical therapist will work with the patient before the surgery to establish baseline information on the patient.  The therapist will educate the patient regarding relevant issues before and well after the surgery to help with recovery.  Early range of motion (ROM) problems have been identified as problems that are especially lessened with the help of physical therapy.

References

International Agency for Research on Cancer. “World Cancer Report.” June 2003. Web. May 27, 2010.

Miller, Kenneth D.  Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment: Medical Specialists and Cancer Survivors Tell You What You Need to Know.  Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008. Print.