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Breast Cancer Research Paper By: Amarrah Smith-Collins

On my eighth birthday, my great-grandmother died of breast cancer. The whole family was very distraught over her transition. Grandma was the matriarch of a family of over forty members. Grandma was our support system and loved each of us individually and unconditionally. My great-grandmother was a loving woman and when around her; there was a sense happiness in the room. The sprit that she exemplified strength, courage, commitment, and the ability to overcome many obstacles. Through her love she ensured that we were taken care of when we sick and did not go astray. Grandma was my hero and due to breast cancer, I lost one of the most important people in my life. When the opportunity came for me to do a project on the subject of my choice, my great-grandmother and her disease were the first that came to mind. I wanted to learn about breast cancer; how it may affect myself and my family; how to prevent getting it.

Breast cancer is a malignant growth or tumor that forms in the breast due to an overgrowth of cells. Breast cancer is diagnosed with self- and physician-examination of the breasts, mammography, ultrasound testing, and biopsy. There are six different types of breast cancer. They are DCIS: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, LCIS: Lobular Carcinoma in Situ, Invasive ductal carcinoma, Invasive lobular carcinoma, Inflammatory breast cancer, and Paget's disease. There hasn’t yet been a cure discovered to this sometimes fatal disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer found amongst women. Studies show that 34% more African-American women die from breast cancer than other ethnic group. This is due to the fact that many African-American women don’t have the medical insurance to cover regular check-ups or mammograms. Because of this, by the time these women realize that they have breast cancer, it may be too late for treatment. Women aren’t the only ones who can contract breast cancer, men can as well. An example of a male living with breast cancer would be Richard Roundtree (the original Shaft). He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer.

Before it is too late, there are symptoms to find whether or not you have breast cancer. They are lump or thickening in the breast or underarm, change in size or shape of the breast, nipple discharge or nipple turning inward, redness or scaling of the skin or nipple, and ridges or pitting of the breast skin. You can give yourself a breast exam. You should look to make sure the breasts are their usual size, shape, and color. Next, raise one arm and with the opposite hand, press and rub around the breast in a circular motion from the nipple to the underarm area. This should raise any concerns that you might have. Also, there are certain habits and lifestyles that cancer contribute to breast cancer. People who are obese are more susceptible to getting breast cancer because of the fat build up. People who smoke and drink have a chance of getting breast cancer because of the chemical reaction to cells. Hormonal imbalance and menopause are also factors that contribute to breast cancer. If a woman starts her menstrual cycle later than usual she may be at risk of getting breast cancer.

Breast cancer can be inherited from family members, although it is very rare. In studies of adult-population, 5%-10% of women have a mother or sister with breast cancer. The risk, given by a family history of breast cancer, has been valued in case control studies with consistent results. The Autosomal dominant inheritance of breast cancer is the transmission of cancer predisposition from generation to generation, through either the mother’s or the father’s side of the family. When a parent carries an autosomal dominant genetic predisposition, each child born has a 50:50 chance of inheriting the predisposition. Even though the risk of inheriting the predisposition is 50%, everybody with the predisposition won’t develop cancer because of “incomplete penetrance” and/ or gender. Both males and females can inherit and transmit an autosomal disposition and shows no evidence of it can still pass the gene on to his sons and daughters. I have recently found that my great-great aunt, my great-grandmother’s sister, also died from breast cancer. However, I’m not sure if my great-great grandparents carried the autosomal dispostion.

The effect of breast cancer on a family can be devastating. This project helped me to better cope with my great-grandmother’s death. I have learned how devastaing this disease can be, not only on the individual but on the family as well. Early detection and treatment are so important for women. They can help save the life of a loved one. I am encouraged and I encourage others to learn more about breast cancer awareness by gettting involved and making donations to different breast cancer organiztions. “An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure”.