Computer Literacy Important in Education

Breast Cancer
Garry B. Neal
Bio. 127
6/22/13

Introduction Breast Cancer has been around since the beginning of times. It is noted that the earliest recordings were date back to Ancient Greece and Egypt around the year 460 B.C., when Hippocrates depicted it as humorol disease. He proposed the Human Body was made up of four humors (phlegm, black bile, yellow bile, and blood). He then premised that cancer was caused due to the overabundance of black bile. This idea of breast cancer was believed until about the 17th century when a physician by the name of Francois de la Boe Sylvius began to dispute the humorol theory of Cancer. He stated that Cancer was caused not by an excess of black bile, but from a chemical process which transformed lymphatic fluids from acidic to acrid. In America, as of 2012, 1 in every 8 woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. While for men on the other hand their chances are a lot slimmer, 1/10 of 1%, (one in 1,000). Among women breast cancer is the second highest cancerous cause of death behind only lung cancer, but is second most diagnosed cancer behind skin. Most women believe they are risk free due to the lack of family history with the disease, but this is not the case. Statistics show that about 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
Diagnosis
Breast cancer is commonly not noticed till after symptoms arise, although most women in the early stages have no symptoms. The now common, use of mammograms, (X-ray of the breast), have increased the likelihood of stopping cancers before it spreads. But yet and still some breast cancers go undetected by way of mammogram. Even machines make mistakes sometimes. Another test is an MRI or Magnetic resonance imaging. MRI test use strong magnets and radio waves. Energy from the radio waves is consumed then discharged in a way that is relative to a certain body tissue type and disease. A computer decodes the pattern into a precise image of body parts. To find cancers gadolinium, (A liquid dye), is injected into a vein to show more detail. MRI can be used alongside mammograms for screening woman with higher risk of developing the cancer.

Symptoms

“One in eight women will develop breast cancer over the course of a lifetime” Everyone men and women should be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The harsh reality of it is it you never know who it could happen too, but you can lower your risk by performing monthly self exams. This way you will be able to identify and seek help if any sudden changes occur. The most routine trait of breast cancer is what is known as the, “Lump”, or mass. You can tell the severity of the lump by the texture. A hard mass with odd edges is more often than not cancerous, but don’t be fooled, breasts cancers can also be rounded. Other signs include but are not limited to any changes in the breast or nipple appearance as well as feel. Including; Unexplained changes in the shape or size of the breast, dimpling, sudden swelling or shrinking of the breast, and nipple inversion to name a few.
Causes
One can’t sit and list causes of breast cancer, but many things can increase your odds of developing breast cancer. Hormones do play a large role in most cases; nut how so, is the question that still has doctors puzzled to this day. DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes. We commonly resemble our parents because they are the source of our DNA. But DNA has a greater affect on us than just how we look. Certain cells contain directions on controlling when our cells divide, grow, and eventually die. Genes that speed up cell division are called oncogenes, others that slow down cell division, or cause cells to die, are called tumor suppressing genes. Changes in DNA that turn oncogenes on and off can cause breast cells to become cancerous. One can say that breast cancer is caused due to a elaborate interaction of ones genetic makeup and your environment. Experts approximate that between 5 and 10 percent of cancers are directly linked to gene mutations handed down through generations of a family. A vast majority of inherited gene mutations that increase odds of breast cancer have now been identified. Most common amongst those are breast cancer BRCA1 and BRCA2 also known as gene1 and gene2, both of which increase risk of ovarian cancer as well as breast cancer
.
*Image of BRCA1 and BRCA2 results.*

Treatment Breast cancer treatment options are given based on your type of breast cancer as well as the severity. Majority of patients undergo surgery as well as receive additional treatment; chemotherapy, radiation, etc. Luckily doctors have made substantial progress in finding ways to fight breast cancer; there are many options readily available. The choice on which way to use is solely up to the patient. Options for surgery are vast. They include Lumpectomy, which is the removing of the actual breast cancer. The surgeon carefully removes the tumor; this is commonly done for smaller sized tumors. Mastectomy, which is when the cancer has spread throughout the entire breast and the only chance of getting rid of the cancer, is to remove the entire breast and reconstruct a new one. If surgery is not the route you like, Other options are available such as Radiation therapy, which is when doctors use X-rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is recommended for larger breasts cancers that may have spread to the lymph nodes. And the common Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. Breast cancer is a major cause of death today, but it is nothing to be afraid of. With the information provided today one should be able to cope with the odds, and realize that it is not only curable but with advances in science and medicine livable. Simple little things such as self exams and knowing the facts can be a huge difference maker in the end. The choice is yours.