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Introduction
The overriding objective of this paper is to provide a detailed discussion of the burden of breast cancer. The other objectives that are central to this paper are highlighted below:
- To determine which group is at a high risk of breast cancer
- To elucidate the impact of breast cancer on elderly women and those below the age of 45 years
- To highlight the possible solutions to the burden of breast cancer
- To discuss, in detail, some of the possible causes of breast cancer – environmental and social factors.
Facts and Figures
Breast cancer (BC) is regarded as the most common type of cancer globally. According to Mascara and Constantinou (2021), “about 2.3 million people are diagnosed with the disease each year” (p. 9). In the U.S., approximately 264000 and 2400 cancer cases are diagnosed each year among women and men, respectively (Mascara and Constantinou (2021, p. 6). African American women have a high mortality rate of breast cancer. The main facts about this condition are that it has a high survival rate, and women are at a higher risk than men for developing it.
Population Impacts
While there are several types of cancer, breast cancer is regarded as the second leading cause of death among women. Women above 55 years are at a high risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. More specifically, it is common after menopause – “longer exposure to estrogen increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer” (Madigan et al., 2020, p. 9). However, there are a few cases of this condition among women below 45 (Madigan et al., 2020, p. 9). In the U.S., for instance, about 9% of all the cases are recorded in women below 45 years
Most older women living with breast cancer are considered underdiagnosed and undertreated. This explains why this population has a low survival rate. According to Madigan et al. (2020), the majority of women who die of breast cancer are above 65 years. In addition to this, screening for this condition in the elderly population is very controversial. In fact, mammography is rarely performed in women between 65 and 70 years old (Madigan et al. (2020). Most of these women delay reporting the signs and symptoms of this condition – it is diagnosed at a more advanced stage.
Environmental Factors
The one known environmental factor that increases the risk of breast cancer is long exposure to ionizing radiation. According to Burstein et al. (2019), continued exposure to “environmental pollutants and toxic chemicals are possible risk factors for breast cancer.” However, the possibility of developing this condition depends largely on the period and type of exposure. Burstein et al.’s (2019) study focused on women exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and bisphenol A. They noted that most women during the menopausal transition were at a high risk of developing breast cancer.
Social Factors
Social factors contribute a lot to the health and well-being of individuals. Among breast cancer patients, income and education, unemployment, social support, and neighborhood limitations are the main risks for breast cancer. Other social factors include food insecurity, poor housing, and lack of medical trust. Lack of social support, for instance, is associated with an increase in cancer-related deaths (Coughlin, 2019). This happens because most of them are socially isolated – they lack essential instrumental support. Overall, more affluent women, regardless of race, are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Potential Solution to Breast Cancer
The available solutions aim at reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. According to Montagnese et al. (2020), lifestyle changes are crucial to decreasing the risk of BC. The first possible solution requires one to maintain a healthy weight. For instance, healthy adults should strive to achieve at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity combined with up to 75 minutes of vigorous exercises (Montagnese et al., 2020). However, it is important to consult the healthcare provider regarding the available healthy strategies to help them accomplish the same.
Another possible solution to breast cancer, specifically for women below the age of 45 years, is through breastfeeding. More specifically, such women should consider breastfeeding for at least one year. This helps reduce the risk of breast cancer post-menopause. Similarly, hormone therapy in menopause should not be taken for the long term as it increases the risk of breast cancer – “whether estrogen is taken by itself or combined with progestin” (Jelly & Choudhary, 2019, p. 47). This presentation emphasizes that for those women who opt to take hormone therapy, it should be for the short-term.
Conclusion
As evidenced above, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women, especially those aged 65 years and above. Based on research, approximately 264000 and 2400 cancer cases are diagnosed each year among women and men, respectively. In addition to this, both environmental and social factors play a critical role in the development of breast cancer. For instance, ionizing radiation is one of the main environmental factors associated with this condition. Scholars recommend lifestyle changes combined with physical activity in an attempt to minimize the risk of being diagnosed with the condition.
References
Burstein, H. J., Curigliano, G., Loibl, S., Dubsky, P., Gnant, M., Poortmans, P., & Thurlimann, B. (2019). Estimating the benefits of therapy for early-stage breast cancer: The St. Gallen International Consensus Guidelines for the primary therapy of early breast cancer 2019. Annals of Oncology, 30(10), 1541-1557. Web.
Coughlin, S. S. (2019). Social determinants of breast cancer risk, stage, and survival. Breast cancer research and treatment, 177(3), 537-548. Web.
Jelly, P., & Choudhary, S. (2019). Breastfeeding and breast cancer: A risk reduction strategy. Int J Med Paediatr Oncol, 5(2), 47-50. Web.
Madigan, L. I., Dinh, P., & Graham, J. D. (2020). Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in locally advanced estrogen or progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer: determining the optimal endocrine agent and treatment duration in postmenopausal women—A literature review and proposed guidelines. Breast Cancer Research, 22(1), 1-13. Web.
Mascara, M., & Constantinou, C. (2021). Global perceptions of women on breast cancer and barriers to screening. Current Oncology Reports, 23(7), 1-9. Web.
Montagnese, C., Porciello, G., Vitale, S., Palumbo, E., Crispo, A., Grimaldi, M., & Augustin, L. S. (2020). Quality of life in women diagnosed with breast cancer after a 12-month treatment of lifestyle modifications. Nutrients, 13(1), 136. Web.
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