Breast Cancer Biology: Early Detection and Treatment Approaches

Introduction

This essay discusses the article from the New York Times titled "Our Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer." It explains the connection between cancer and biology, as well as a personal connection to the article, cancer, and everyday life.

Understanding Breast Cancer and Early Detection

"Our Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer" is an article discussing some of the benefits and risks of mammograms. The article is written by a woman who was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35 and then again several years later. The article discusses research conducted over decades to determine whether early detection or treatments have been responsible for so many survivors. Many people have been misdiagnosed and treated based on their mammogram results and early detection (Orenstein, 2013).

Cancer research has been the topic of many fundraisers and continues to be debated. The debate centers on whether scientists should focus on searching for a cure or on preventive treatment. Research over the years has proven controversial, with mammograms decreasing the death rate by only 25 percent. One of the key factors in breast cancer survival is knowledge and education on the subject, as well as precautions that can be taken (Orenstein, 2013).

Cancer Biology and Cellular Mechanisms

Cancer occurs when abnormally divided cells disturb body tissues physically and metabolically. Cancer begins with mutations, and mutations can alter DNA's genetic path, causing toxic results. Malignant cancer cells multiply and spread throughout the body at an unknown speed and can cause death. Benign cells are not dangerous and grow slowly. Malignant cells have the ability to move in and out of vessels throughout the body, giving them quick access to developing in other areas. Metastasis is the process of malignant cells breaking free from the original tissue and invading other parts of the body (Evers & Star, 2013, Ch. 8).

Malignant cells are aggressive and can spread quickly. Research has shown that cancer causes approximately 15 to 20 percent of deaths in developed countries each year. Many mutations caused by cancer can be inherited. However, research has also shown that different living environments can reduce the risks as well. Many mutations are detected early and can be treated before metastasis begins (Evers & Star, 2013, Ch. 8).

There is no pattern or specific path that cancer takes. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment can be difficult. Genetics, biology, and science all connect within cancer research. Since cancer cells begin as mutant cells with no patterns or structure, cancer is one of the top ongoing research subjects.

Breast Cancer Genetic Subtypes

Research has shown that there are at least four types of genetically specific breast cancers. Each has different causes and requires different treatment approaches, responding differently to treatment. Luminal A and luminal B are similar in that their tumors feed on estrogen. Treatment generally consists of medications that block the cells' access to the hormone estrogen or lower the estrogen levels in the body.

The third type, called HER2-positive, occurs when the body produces too much human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. This type of cancer is treated with a medication called Herceptin, which is an immunotherapy. The fourth and final type, basal-like cancer, also called "triple negative," is known to be the most aggressive and accounts for approximately 20 percent of breast cancer cases. There are more distinctive subtypes of cancer being studied. Each case of "triple negative" is treated differently (Orenstein, 2013).

Personal Perspective on Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

I found this article interesting because it discusses the debate over mammograms and their benefits and risks. Twelve women in my family have been diagnosed with different types of breast cancer, including myself, my mother, maternal great-grandmother, maternal great-aunt, and several distant cousins. Most of us have had a genetic test performed called the BRCA test, and none have tested positive for this specific breast cancer gene. The fact that so many family members have been diagnosed with cancer and not one carries the gene is astounding to doctors. Generally, when so many people within the same family are diagnosed, the gene is found somewhere.

In 2009, I was 33 years old and was diagnosed with stage 3/B invasive infiltrating ductal carcinoma. This meant that a large tumor was found, and the cancer cells had also spread to my lymph nodes. The tumor was 7.2 centimeters in size, and fourteen of the twenty lymph nodes under my arm showed signs of cancer. Due to my age and the stage of my cancer, it was treated very aggressively. I was told that if I took only the recommended chemotherapy treatment, there would be an 80 percent chance of recurrence. My alternative route was more aggressive chemotherapy consisting of four medications instead of two, given in eight treatments versus four. This treatment would lower my chances of recurrence to 20 percent. With each chemotherapy treatment, there was significant shrinkage of the tumor. I began treatments in June and finished in November. At that time, my tumor had shrunk to 2.5 centimeters. The doctors were amazed at the progress. I then had a lumpectomy and radiation. I have now been cancer-free for almost five years.

I have mixed feelings about the information in the article. I discovered my own lump one morning while brushing the side of my breast. I cannot say that mammograms are not useful or that they do not enable early detection. I think they have their benefits but can also yield false readings. The article mentions that while breast cancer discovery has increased with the use of mammograms, false diagnoses have also increased.

My mother had abnormal mammogram results three years in a row. She would be asked to retake the test and then be told she had fibrocystic breast tissue. She should have obtained a second opinion but did not. In 2012, she was diagnosed with stage 2 lobular carcinoma that was HER2-positive, meaning it was estrogen-positive. The cancer cells were throughout her breast and had spread to four of the twenty lymph nodes under her arm. Due to the small cells throughout the breast, she underwent chemotherapy, then had a complete double mastectomy and must take Herceptin for five years.

Cancer affects my life directly every day, even now as a survivor. The article provides valuable information, and mammograms can be beneficial. I am now 38 and required by my doctor to have one annually. Cancer has touched the lives of many people, and thanks to scientists, people have a way of learning about it and becoming educated.

Conclusion

Treatments cost billions, as do the losses to the people we love. Research costs and reducing barriers to treatment are vital to reducing the number of cancer diagnoses and deaths. I believe that the government should assist in funding cancer research, as it is important to the greater good. There are many areas that can be reexamined or revamped to create more funding for cancer research.

Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields covering their morphology, anatomy, origin, distribution, and behavior. In simpler terms, biology is the study of life. Cancer is connected to biology in many ways. It explains how cancer cells begin and the forms in which they reproduce and expand. Without the study of biology, cancer diagnosis rates would likely be higher. Biology gives scientists a foundation for research in the hope of finding a cure or a way to prevent the high count of cancer diagnoses.

Cancer affects many people either personally or through someone they know. With continued research, there may be possible breakthroughs to lower those effects. Funding of cancer research is vital to biology as well as to human existence.