The ten-year survival rate for breast cancer has almost doubled in the last 30 years - why is this, and do you think the trend will continue?

The ten-year survival rate for breast cancer has almost doubled in the last 30 years - why is this, and do you think the trend will continue?

Introduction

Cancer, as defined by the Cancer Research UK is "a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells" (1994) In fact, "cancer" is a term to describe over 100 different types of uncontrolled cell growths (Warden-Tamparo & Lewis, 1989).

Generally, cancer is thought to be caused by both internal and external factors. Internal factors are hormonal variations, immune system weakness, and genetic mutations. External factors include relatively high exposure to radiation, chemicals, and viruses. It is most likely that a combination of both internal and external factors contribute to the development of cancer.

Breast cancer is also thought to be caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Risk factors associated with the disease include age, family history of breast cancer, early menarche, late menopause, no children or late first birth, long time use of oral contraceptives, and higher education levels (Brenton, 2005). With an increased emphasis on early screening--including breast self-exams and mammographies breast cancer may be diagnosed at an early stage, which increases survival rates. The current survival rate is about 50% (Cancer Research UK, 2009).

Discussions

Historically, the first description of breast cancer was identified in ancient Egypt (Baum, 1993). At that time, all disease was thought to be due to an imbalance of the body's humors, which include blood, phlegm, black bile, and white bile. Breast cancer was considered to be the result of a coagulum of black bile in the breast. As a result, treatment for breast cancer was aimed at the elimination of bile residing in the breast. Fortunately, treatment for breast cancer has advanced considerably since the days of early Egypt (Armitage et al. 2008).

Treatments of Breast Cancer

Current breast cancer treatments fall into two categories: Iocal and systemic. Local treatments, in which only the breast and surrounding tissues are treated, involve surgery and radiation. Local treatments for breast cancer are most effective when the cancer is confined to the breast (Burstein, 2008). Systemic treatments include chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Although not always the case, systemic treatments are recommended when the cancer has been found in the axillary lymph nodes or metastasized to other parts of the body (Mendelsohn et al., 2006). Often, both local and systemic treatments are utilized when the cancer becomes invasive or has metastasized. Considerations for determining treatment choices include the stage of disease, the overall health of the patient, and the patient's preference (Cancer Research UK, 1994).

It has been suggested that the emotional trauma experienced by individuals upon learning of their cancer diagnosis may be as devastating as the cancer itself (Avis, 2005). As cancer is frequently associated with death and dying, the most common reactions to the diagnosis are shock and ...