Destinee Skeens Mrs.

Hensel English III 26 March 2014 Breast Cancer Treatment Cancer is a word no one wants to hear. According to Sarah Crawford, the author of Magills Medical Guide, Sixth Edition, Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of deaths in women. Approximately 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone (Crawford). There are different ways to treat this disease including chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, such as mastectomies and lumpectomies; all can affect the body in many ways. The size and the appearance of the tumor determine which treatment will be recommended. For small tumors that show no evidence of spreading, a lumpectomy is the general treatment (Crawford). This is the simple removal of the tumor and the surrounding tissues. This is to ensure complete removal of the cancer. For more advanced results, radical mastectomies are also an option. This is a procedure that involves complete removal of the breast, associated lymph nodes, and underlying chest muscles. Breast reconstruction often accompanies the surgical procedure in order to reduce the physical and psychological effects of mastectomies (Crawford). If any evidence exists that a cancer cell spread to other sides within the body, then radiation and chemotherapy may be used. The use of external beam high-energy radiation that is directed to the target tissue is to avoid damaging other organs and tissue in the body (Crawford). Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that interfere with the process of DNA duplication in

dividing cells by producing changes in the structure. These treatments are doing the body well but at the same time damaging it during the process. Both radiation and chemotherapy may produce significant side effects, such as anemia, hair loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weight loss and mouth sores (Crawford). Side effects occur because these treatment drugs target not only cancer cells but also all cells within the body that are actively dividing. As said in the article, Treatments for Breast Cancer on Breast Cancer Health Center (BCHC), new treatments have developed, such as Tamoxifen, or Hormone Therapy, due to an increased understanding of the biology of breast cancer. It specifically targets the estrogen receptor in breast tissue and blocks the growth. Tamoxifen does have significant side effects like an increased risk of developing uterine cancer, hot flashes and vaginal dryness (BCHC). Biological therapy is another treatment discovered due to new information of the disease. This treatment uses drugs like Afinitor, Herceptin, Perjeta or Tykerb, which work by using the bodys immune system to destroy cancer cells. These drugs target breast cancer cells that have high levels of a protein called HER2 (BCHC). Treatments for this disease not only make changes to the physical aspects of the body, but mentally as well. A breast cancer survivor, Jimmie Sue, was interviewed on March 23rd. Jimmie was a happy spirited person with no worries until she received a call that she was dreading to answer; her doctor called her one day and told her she was diagnosed with type 1 breast cancer. She expressed her feelings and struggles throughout her treatment during the interview. Jimmie described the time as a terrible, lonely, and stressful period in her life. Many patients fall into depression. Since they lose a lot, if not all, of their hair, they tend to stay hidden from the world. They feel embarrassed, weak, and insecure like most do that go through this (Skeens). I barely left the house, said Jimmie, Not even to get groceries. Family and friends suffer

throughout this process too. It is very difficult seeing a loved one go through such torment during this sad, rough time knowing you cannot do much to help them. Breast cancer affects both body and mind and it is important to understand the process and options. In additional to weakness and nausea brought on by chemotherapy, breast cancer can make you depressed and anxious. It is important to know that if you or loved one are going through this that you are not alone, you never were. If you have a better understanding of your options, you can make a bad experience less stressful; the more you know, the better the outcome.

Work Cited Breast Cancer Treatment Breast Cancer Health Center. Web MD, 09 May 2012 Web. 21 Feb.2014

Crawford, Sarah. Breast cancer Magills Medical Guide Sixth Edition. Ed. Irons Georges Tracy, 6th ed. 6 Vols. Pasadena. Calif.: Salem Press. 2010. Salem Health Web. 14 Feb. 2014 Skeens, Jimmie Interviewed by Destinee Skeens on March 23rd, 2014