Download Title: Breast Cancer- We Are All in This Together

Outline for Microbiology Presentation
Title: Breast Cancer- We Are All in This Together
Author: Margaret Marshall
Date: April 20, 2010
Abstract:
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Breast cancer is an extremely deadly disease that occurs mostly in women, however men are at
risk as well.
It develops from very small cells on the breast and can quickly become malignant tumors,
meaning that they have the ability to metastasize rapidly and harmfully in clusters. They can
spread quickly to surrounding areas as well as over the entire body.
Most breast cancers begin in the cells that line the ducts, lobules, lymph nodes or other small
tissues.
We need to protect ourselves by becoming more knowledgeable about our awareness of selfexaminations, yearly checkups, prevention methods, treatments, the importance of good health
and emotional well-being.
Introduction:
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When I first heard about this topic, I instantly knew that I wanted to have a primary focus on
breast cancer and if someone you love has fought with breast cancer you will probably relate.
My mother was diagnosed with stage four lymphatic breast cancer in 1998. As an eight year old
I was never old enough to really understand the extremities the breast cancer beheld. She
fought this deadly disease for ten years and went through many struggles, surgeries, falsediagnoses and constant battles.
I as well have experienced many secondary battles living through her hardships and hope that
through this project I can become more aware and knowledgeable myself and will as educate
others by my research.
Cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth. If you think about it, there are so many things in our
daily life that easily add wear and tear to our bodies that could possibly cause abnormal cell
growth.
- For example: Chemicals and pesticides; such as the food we eat, hormones; such as birth
control, The types of cleansing products we use; such as deodorant, Obesity, Air pollution;
cause by many types of transportation, factories, fires etc., high stress levels, smoking
tobacco and the use of alcohol.
Discussion:
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In a healthy person, it is normal for cells to replace old cells with new cells because of cell
growth. However, if there is a mutation or abnormal cell growth cancer may form in that area.
Within the nucleus of a cell is where your genes and genetic information is stored. “About 90%
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of breast cancers are due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process.
However, only 5-10% of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from your mother or
father.”1
The worst thing about cancer is that if you do not catch it quickly mutated cells have the
capability to easily spread throughout your body rapidly with no control. This is what causes
malignant tumors to develop inside your body with potential to cause this deadly disease.
The worst and most threatening is when breast cancer cells spread into your lymph nodes
(under arms) because then they have a gateway to spread anywhere throughout your body. For
example your liver, bones or blood. In order to know if your cancer is in your lymphatic system
your doctor will have to observe a sample of you lymph tissue under a microscope. “There are
three types of lymphatic cancer cells minimal (microscopic) being the smallest, significant
(macroscopic), and extra-capsular being the largest taking over the whole node and surrounding
fat.” 2 Once your cancer reaches your lymph nodes it becomes more aggressive and usually will
spread, allowing you less chance for survival.
There are four stages to breast cancer, however eight different types.
Stages of Breast Cancer
Stage Definition
Cancer cells remain inside the breast duct, without invasion into normal adjacent breast
Stage 0
tissue.
Stage I Cancer is 2 centimeters or less and is confined to the breast (lymph nodes are clear).
No tumor can be found in the breast, but cancer cells are found in the axillary lymph
nodes (the lymph nodes under the arm)
OR
Stage
the tumor measures 2 centimeters or smaller and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes
IIA
OR
the tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has not spread to the
axillary lymph nodes.
The tumor is larger than 2 but no larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to the axillary
Stage lymph nodes
IIB
OR
the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
No tumor is found in the breast. Cancer is found in axillary lymph nodes that are sticking
together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the
Stage breastbone
IIIA
OR
the tumor is any size. Cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes, which are sticking
together or to other structures, or cancer may be found in lymph nodes near the
1
2
http://www.breastcancer.org/
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/lymph_nodes.jsp
Stage
IIIB
Stage
IIIC
Stage
IV
3
breastbone.
The tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast
AND
may have spread to axillary lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other
structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone.
Inflammatory breast cancer is considered at least stage IIIB.
There may either be no sign of cancer in the breast or a tumor may be any size and may
have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast
AND
the cancer has spread to lymph nodes either above or below the collarbone
AND
the cancer may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the
breastbone.
The cancer has spread — or metastasized — to other parts of the body.3
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/what_is_bc.jsp