Breast Cancer : Cancer And Cancer

“Cancer” is the name for a group of diseases that start in the body at the cellular level. Even though there are many different kinds of cancer, they all begin with abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These abnormal cells lump together to form a mass of tissue or “malignant tumor”. Malignant means that it can spread to other parts of the body or Metastasize . If the breast is the original location of the cancer growth or malignant tumor, the tumor is called breast cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2014, as cited in cbcf.org)

We have all seen the pink ribbons. They have become a national, if not international symbol for breast cancer support and awareness. Breast cancer knows neither racial boundaries nor age restrictions. Females of all ages and ethnicities can develop breast cancer and it is the leading most common cancer among women. Calling attention to this often fatal disease is important by supporting its victims, families and friends of victims, as well as raising funds for breast cancer research. Though males are not immune from developing a breast cancer, for the purposes of this paper, this paper will be limited to information relating breast cancer in females.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is mostly due to a mutation in the Breast cancer susceptibility gene 1(BRCA1) and breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA 2) genes and is the most common cause of both forms of breast and ovarian cancers due to hereditary (Weitzel, Blazer, MacDonald, Culver, & Offit, 2011). Although the overall prevalence of the BRCA 1/2 genes is estimated 1 in 400 to 1 in 800 with a higher occurrence in the Ashkenazi Jewish population which is 1 in 40 that have the BRCA genes. According to Weitzel, Blazer, MacDonald, Culver, & Offit (2011), the likelihood of having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is dependent on one’s personal and/or family history of cancer and can be assessed by using several mutation probability models. After a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene has been identified in the family, testing of all of at-risk relatives can identify those family members who may also have the BRCA gene and therefore will need to have an increased in following and early intervention when a cancer is diagnosed. There are several options that a person who has been diagnosed with having

Another factor that contributes to the development of breast cancer is actually the hormone estrogen. This seems unusual because estrogen is a hormone that is essential to the bodies of women in various ways. Estrogen is necessary for normal growth and development of breasts and reproductive organs, as well as for the maintenance of a healthy heart and bones. However, lifetime estrogen exposure may increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. It does not actually produce the mutation in the DNA, nevertheless Estrogen stimulates the proliferation of breast cells that already contain a mutation. These mutated cells will continue to reproduce and have an increased chance of becoming cancerous.

By helping to repair DNA, the BRCA2 protein plays a critical role in maintaining the stability of a cell 's genetic information. The cancer risk caused by BRCA2 mutations is inherited in a dominant fashion, even though usually only one mutated allele is directly inherited. This is because people with the mutation are likely to acquire a second mutation, leading to the dominant expression of the cancer. A mutated BRCA gene can be inherited from either parent. Because they are inherited from the parents, they are classified as hereditary or germline mutations. Because humans have a diploid genome, each cell has two copies of the gene (one from each biological parent). Typically only one copy contains a disabling, inherited mutation, so the affected person is heterozygous for the mutation. If the functional copy is harmed, however, then the cell is forced to use alternate DNA repair mechanisms, which are more error-prone. The loss of the functional copy is called loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Any resulting errors in DNA repair may result in cell death or a cancerous transformation of the cell.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women in the United States. There are at least two majors genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that when they mutate can cause breast cancer. These genes can be passed from parent to child, increasing the risk of developing cancer in those child that have parent carrying these genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are located on chromosome 17 and chromosome 13 respectively. There is a 90% chance of developing breast cancer for a woman that has these mutated genes. In contrast, men carrying BRCA1 have no risk to develop breast cancer, but those carrying BRCA2 genes have high risk. It is important to note that mutations in these genes can be passed on to children by either parent. A man with a mutation is just

     Breast cancer, a very painful disease emotionally and physically for women, can also be detected with genetic testing. The majority of cases of breast cancer are not the result of known inherited mutations, but rather from two breast cancer susceptibility genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. Although the two genes are similar, BRCA1 mutations lead to estrogen receptor negative

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and breast cancer seem to be distributed among a variety of populations.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, and can even be known to show up in men. Mary-Claire King devoted her studies to this horrible disease that takes the lives of over 40,000 women a year (BCRF). Since King had a strong background in mathematics and evolutionary biology she was able to take a new approach to learning more about this disease. She has been researching this disease for more than 40 years, but started her research from the beginning by analyzing the first gene of breast cancer. King discovered the ability to use gene mapping to trace the BRCA1 which shows a link with breast cancer. Although King was not the first to genetically clone this gene, she is shown to have various contributions to the first cloning.

Scientific research has made various improvements and advancements in many diseases and treatment methods. In cancer alone, over the past decade, we have made several breakthroughs that have allowed us to prevent and/ or successfully treat previously deadly forms. The BRCA 1 gene mutation allows for individuals to see if they have a higher risk for cancers such as breast cancer. By having a predictor such as this, people are able to receive preventative treatments, allowing health care providers to catch problems early, which increases the chances of a successful outcome.

One out of eight women around the world develops the most common disease called Breast Cancer. In the United States, about 200,000 women suffer from this disease and it causes more than 40,000 death each year. Breast cancer is a cancer cell (malignant tumor) that forms in the breast. The cancerous cells grow in the breast and then invade the healthy cells and the surrounding tissues of the breast and it can also spread into other parts of the body. Breast cancer is more common in women but men can also get it too. One of the reasons that males are less likely to develop breast cancer because males have less estrogen and progesterone hormones which is a higher risk of breast cancer cell to grow. There are many risks factors that can cause

Studies shows men are diagnosed with breast cancer contrary to the perception that this disease is solely diagnose in women. What is breast cancer in men? Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread metastasize to distance of the body (Article 1).Women Manly have breast cancer but men can get it also. Some people doesn’t realize that men have breast tissues and that can develop breast cancer. The breast is made up mainly of lobules (glands) that can produce milk if the right hormones are present. Around the age 9 and 10 girls and boys have a small amount of tissue which is called a Ducts which is located under the nipples and areola (Area around the nipple). Puberty girl’s ovaries make females hormones causing breast ducts to grow.

Such findings, all of which relate to hormone-based life events, suggest that breast cancer is somehow affected by prolonged exposure to female sex hormones, such as estrogen. Women with a history of breast cancer in the family are also at greater risk. About five percent of all breast cancers have been attributed to a mutated, or structurally altered, gene known as BRCA1. Mutations in a second gene, BRCA2, contribute significantly to the development of breast cancer in Jewish women. Alcohol, high levels of fat in the diet, and not exercising regularly have also been linked to increased risk for breast cancer (Garber).

Breast cancer is a common and potentially fatal form of cancer that affects both men and women. Different patients are given different types of treatment depending on their stage. There are also steps that people can take to not only detect, but also to prevent being affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer treatments have made great leaps forward, allowing both genders to have expectations of victory over the disease. Although breast cancer today has affected many lives among females and males, with the advancements in science and technology, it can be beaten.

This paper will inform you of Breast Cancer. It is the most common form of cancer in women today but thanks to medical advances it is no longer the number one killer of women.