Determinants of Breast Cancer in Saudi Women, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Breast cancer is a significant health-related concern in Saudi Arabia. According to recent statistics, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in Saudi Arabia, comprising 24% of all cancer diagnoses in 2013 (http://appserv.kfshrc.edu.sa, 2013). A review of the available statistics published in 2013 described breast cancer as “the most implacable malignancy and the leading cause of mortality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Al Diab et al, 2013). Perhaps the most serious concern related to breast cancer in Saudi Arabia is that the incidence of the disease is growing, affecting a greater number of patients than ever before (Al-Rikabi & Hussain, 2012). With these concerns in mind, it is clear that the issue of how to prevent and treat breast cancer is of serious concern in Saudi Arabia. It is imperative that the citizens of Saudi Arabia have access to information about lifestyle choices (such as proper nutrition and exercise) that can help prevent breast cancer and information about the effective management and treatment of the disease (Alghamdi, 2013). The following paper provides an overview of breast cancer, from the etiology of the disease to the ways that it can be prevented and managed.

The Health Problem

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/what_is_bc

http://www.idosi.org/mejsr/mejsr14(4)13/14.pdf

Causes and associated factors

Breast cancer is considered as the most Leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. There are many factors that cause to breast cancer. Most of them are not fully understood it change in develop from woman to another. Based on that there are factors that can change the likelihood while there are other factors that you cannot do anything for it, but there are some you can change. One of the most factors that can lead to cancer in Saudi Arabia is the age. Researchers says that the risk of develop the cancer is the age of the woman.  “Breast cancer is most common among women over 50 who have been through the menopause. 8 out of 10 breast cancer cases occur in women over 50”. Another reason of having breast cancer might be the history of family .If you have your close relatives who have a breast cancer you may getting a risk of having the same disease. While on the other side “Most breast cancer cases are not hereditary (they do not run in families). However, particular genes, known as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase your risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. It is possible for these genes to be passed on from a parent to their child. A third gene (TP53) is also associated with increased risk of breast cancer”. Other cause that be a major reason of having cancer in Saudi Arabia that woman’s are not having a particular place for walking this might affect them negatively and might lead to the overweight that can lead to breast cancer. As specialize Sais that “ If you have been through the menopause and are overweight or obese, you may be more at risk of developing breast cancer. This is thought to be linked to the amount of estrogen in your body, as being overweight or obese after the menopause causes more estrogen to be produced”.

Health problems associated

After studies and Experiments the Scientists found higher current body mass index (BMI) was associated with lower breast cancer incidence before menopause. however, a positive relationship was seen among postmenopausal women who never used any other replacement hormone . lower breast cancer incidence before and after menopause was associated with Higher BMI at the age of 18 years . But Weight gain after the age of 18 years was related to breast cancer incidence before menopause.

Treatment Program

Breast Cancer can be cured based on medical research that shows a specific treatment programs in order to control breast cancer. This treatment program must follow an order strategy steps to be in a safe side. First of all, planning your treatment is a very important thing that will organize your program that you have to manage it with your doctor. The treatment plan will be made up of one or more specific treatments to reduce the risk of future breast cancer recurrence. After that you should get a second opinion that’s means based on research “asking another breast cancer specialist, or a team of specialists, to review all of your medical reports and test results, give an opinion about your diagnosis, and suggest treatment options. A second opinion may confirm your original doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan, provide more details about the type and stage of breast cancer, raise additional treatment options you hadn’t considered, or recommend a different course of action. Even if you’ve already had treatment, it’s not too late to get a second opinion. A second doctor can weigh in on your diagnosis and treatment plan to date, offering any additional thoughts or recommendations”(2013). The idea of that is to arrange for the second opinion and know how to deal with any issues that you may face it. The next step of treatment program and the most important one is that you and your doctor will determine the kind of surgery that’s most appropriate for you based on the stage of your cancer. After all of these specific steps that you have to follow it you will need to take a treatment that uses medicine to destroy and weaken cancer cells in your breast medical scientists named it as Chemotherapy. Doctors and specializes use this treatment in order to treat as they said “ early-stage invasive breast cancer to get rid of any cancer cells that may be left behind after surgery and to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back and advanced-stage breast cancer to destroy or damage the cancer cells as much as possible”(2014). But in some cases, chemotherapy might give before making a surgery in order to decrease the cancer cells. Finally, the world of medicine never ends it renewed every day and evolves in order to address many diseases, including breast cancer, which could save the lives of many women who suffer from it. There are many others treatment programs that helps the patient to survive the cancer ,but it vary from one person to another and from disease to another.

Lifestyle changes for prevention and control

On any cancer warrior she/he must follow a new lifestyle to help him to lower the chance of getting cancer and overcome this disease. Based on a medically reviewed by a doctor “By preventing cancer, the number of new cases of cancer in a group or population is lowered. Hopefully, this will lower the number of deaths caused by cancer”(2012). Cancer is a group of related disease it is not a single disease that can be affected from the way of lifestyle and the environment around us. Scientists have studied many ways to help patient also the normal people to avoid breast cancer. Here are some of these ways:

First change your lifestyle by changing the way of your food this is for people who are not following a healthy diet. Providing vitamin in your food is very important to avoid cancer diseases. Second, try to avoid or control anything that can cause cancer such as stress and feeling depression. Third, Early detection, which may save you from the risk of cancer. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not have sufficient awareness in this matter. Last but not least “Chemoprevention” it is the medicines to treat and to keep cancer from starting.

Conclusion

Breast cancer is a significant health-related concern in Saudi Arabia. The issue of how to prevent and treat breast cancer is of serious concern in Saudi Arabia. It is imperative that the citizens of Saudi Arabia have access to information about lifestyle choices. The number of deaths will only continue to rise if cancer is not given its rightful attention. Women are more prone to cancer and as such women have to be extremely careful with the kind of lifestyle they adopt. Women over the age of 50 have to be particularly careful. Most women with cancer are over the age of 50, after menopause, and are overweight. Saudi Arabian women have been found to be naturally less active. This has led to most gaining weight and eventually end overweight or obese. This puts them at a higher risk if getting cancer.

Breast Cancer can be cured based on medical research that shows a specific treatment programs in order to control breast cancer. Anyone fighting cancer has to follow a new lifestyle to help him lower the chance of getting cancer and to overcome the disease. One has to observe a healthy diet, avoid stress and depression triggers. Regular voluntary screenings can help detect the disease early on. The lack of awareness of the causes and triggers of cancer cause late detections and numerous deaths.

The medical ideology in the treatment of cancer is its prevention. Prevention methods negate any cancer triggers consciously. By avoiding foods that will only serve to increase bad weight, or increase your blood sugar levels, ne can safely avoid cancer. In order for this endeavour to be successful, sensitization and awareness of the general public to the causes, triggers and side effects of cancer has to be implemented. Most people suffer the risk of developing cancer without knowing. Given access to the right information, many would reduce their risk of developing cancer.

References

Causes and risk factors.(2011).retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Cancer-of-the-breast-female/Pages/Causes.aspx

Treatment & Side effects. Getting a second opinion.(2013).Retrieved from  http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/second_opinion

Chemotherapy.(2014).Retrieved from http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy

Cancer Prevention.(2012).retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/cancer_prevention/article.htm

Al Diab, A., Qureshi, S., Al Saleh, K. A., Al Qahtani, F. H., Aleem, A., Alghamdi, M. A., Alsaif, A., Bokhari, A. A., Qureshi, V. F. & Qureshi, M. R. (2013). Review on Breast Cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Middle East Journal Of Scientific Research, 14 (4).

Alghamdi, I., Hussain, I., Alghamdi, M. & El-Sheemy, M. (2014). The incidence rate of female breast cancer in Saudi Arabia: an observa. [online] Retrieved from: http://www.dovepress.com/the-incidence-rate-of-female-breast-cancer-in-saudi-arabia-an-observat-peer-reviewed-article-BCTT [Accessed: 7 Apr 2014].

Al-Rikabi, A. & Husain, S. (2012). Increasing prevalence of breast cancer among Saudi patients attending a tertiary referral hospital: a retrospective epidemiologic study. Croatian Medical Journal, 53 (3), p. 239.

Appserv.kfshrc.edu.sa. (2014). Breast Cancer. [online] Retrieved from: http://appserv.kfshrc.edu.sa/default/health/disease/3?Language=English [Accessed: 7 Apr 2014].