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Jennifer Mariaca
Mrs. Frank
Senior Capstone, period, 8
April 28, 2014

Research Paper
Rough Draft

Breast Cancer is caused by an uncontrollably growth of breast cells and affects 12.4% of
women. The first 8 cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in Egypt in 1600 BC. Throughout
history before the 21
st
century fanatics of science linked breast cancer to divine punishment, and
physical injuries (Health Central). In the 19
th
century new improvements in the medical field
came along, and Jean Louis Petit and Benjamin Bell were the first surgeons to successfully
extract breast tissue and chest muscle. Throughout history it was speculated that having an
overdose of a body fluid called black bile could make a person develop cancer (Cancer causes:
Theories throughout history). Breast cancer should be researched more in depth because there
are a few treatments and preventions to reduce it.
The rapidly growth of breast cancer cases in the United States, resulted in the creation of
The National Cancer Act of 1971 by U.S Senator Ralph W. Yarborough of Texas. The Cancer
Act authorized a comprehensive study of the status of cancer treatment and research, and the
cause and cure of cancer (National Cancer Act Marks Milestone). On December 23, 1971 the
National Cancer Act was passed by congress and sign by president, Richard Nixon. Over the
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years the speculations started changing as scientist started using chemotherapy and radiation to
shrink cancerous tumors. Chemotherapy is the used to treat any disease by slowing and
obstructing the growth of cancerous cells, which grow and divide quickly and might damage
healthy cells (Chemotherapy). This process involves the use of drug such as aspirin and
penicillin, but it might vary depending on the type of cancer being treated, chemotherapy
history, and previous health problems. Chemotherapy is used for several purposes, one of them
is to reduce the size of a tumor before undergoing surgery or radiation therapy, through a process
called neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Theres also the adjuvant chemotherapy that eliminates
cancerous cells that may remain after surgery or radiation therapy, it also eliminates any
upcoming cancerous cells (chemotherapy). However, depending on the type of cancer and how
advance it is, chemotherapy is not always suggested to patients, because undergoing
chemotherapy can have various side effects such as fatigue and other serious consequences
(Chemo). This process can be risky but it can help cure, control, and vanquishing pain or
pressure caused by tumors. The advancements in the medical field have helped discover how
gender, alcohol, and diet were linked to breast cancer development.
Breast cancer is linked to gender. Women go through different hormone changes that can
effect cell production. Women breast cells are constantly changing and growing, due to
substances produced by the body such as estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen helps maintain
hormone stability and progesterone releases steroids when preparing the woman for pregnancy
(dictionary). Women are more vulnerable to developing breast cancer than men. Men are less
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vulnerable to developing breast cancer, because they produce less estrogen and progesterone and
their cells are not as active as a womans cells (Being a Woman). The percent of men developing
cancer is less than 1% and at least 206,966 women and 2,039 men were diagnose with breast
cancer in 2010("Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Turning Cancer Data
Into Discovery"). If research continued the rates of breast cancer will decrease dramatically.
Another important factor in the development of breast cancer is consumption of alcohol.
The abuse of any alcoholic beverage can alter and change cell reproduction. The human body
produces a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde every time an alcoholic beverage is consumed.
This toxic chemical helps the body break down alcohol, but, as alcohol consumption increases,
the amount of acetaldehyde toxins increase causing an overdose that can damage normal cells by
altering its DNA. Recent studies have shown that the consumption of three alcoholic drinks per
week have a 15% higher risk of breast cancer (Drinking Alcohol). Young people aging from 9-
15 years who consume approximately three to five alcoholic beverages tend to have three times
the risk of developing breast cancer than a person who doesnt drink at all (Drinking Alcohol).
Our daily diet can increase the chance of developing breast cancer. An overweight person
has a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who have a healthy life style. As
mention earlier the human body produces estrogen that helps maintain hormone stability, while
body fat produces small amounts of estrogen, having a normally amount of production of
estrogen by the body and body fat is healthy. However, if the body fat produces more estrogen
than needed after menopause, a woman can increase her chance of having breast cancer, due to
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the fact that it can increase its hormones level (Breast Cancer Risk Factors). The childhood of a
person can also have a significant impact on the development of this disease, its been found that
people who suffer from overweight since childhood were less likely to develop breast cancer
than those who gain weight as an adult (Breast Cancer). Furthermore, there are special cases
when a person who eats a high amount of fat during puberty, even if they dont become
overweight or obese, may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer later in life. (Eating
Unhealthy Food). A persons diet was the cause of 30% to 40% of cancer cases. Doctors
recommend exercising and eating food grown free from pesticides, because the chemicals found
in our food can alter our cells. Recent studies have shown that little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours per
week walking reduced a womans risk by 18% (Womens Health Initiative). Dieting is different
from country to country depending on its environment. For example, countries whose diet
depends on plant-based and low in fat have less cases of breast cancer development.
In order to reduce the possibility of women developing breast cancer in the United States,
organizations such as The National Breast Cancer Foundation have been created in order to
educate and encourage women to get a screening. Due to the growth of breast cancer among
citizens in the United States the National Breast and cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
was design to help low-income and uninsured women to have access to screening for a low cost
or free. In the United Kingdom there are around 50,000 women and 400 men being diagnosed
with breast cancer every year, and is the second main cause of death from cancer in women.
Because the high rates of breast cancer were affecting their citizen, the Cancer Research UK was
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funded with the purpose to research more in detail about breast cancer and finding new
treatments to reduce the number of affected women. Even though, the United Kingdom doesnt
have any specific laws concerning breast cancer, it has been working closely with the World
Health Organization to get rid of toxic chemicals in grown and process foods by increasing
funding for current/future organizations (Breast Cancer Organizations). In fact, developing
countries such as Eastern Africa who experience the lowest cases of breast cancer have created
organizations to spread awareness about breast cancer. In 2008 a 19.3 women per 100,000 in
Eastern Africa were diagnose with breast cancer. The main reason Eastern Africa experiences
low breast cancer statistics is because women are less likely to be alcoholic and obese.(British
Breast Cancer Rates 'four times Higher than Eastern Africa', Says Report). In 2005, The
AstraZeneca was funded in order to provide women in Eastern Africa with medical assistance
and provide the community with new medical equipment. Other ways of educating and raising
awareness among women in Eastern Africa is through the organization Breast Cancer Initiative
East Africa Inc. (East Africa).
These countries have funded several organizations in order to spread awareness and
provide the needed resources to support women facing breast cancer. For example the U.S has
design a program to help low-income women to get treatment, while UK focus in reducing toxic
chemicals being used in food to reduce risk factors, whereas in Eastern Africa women are being
educated about the risk factors of breast cancer. These countries are taking initiative because the
main problem is that women are not well informed and dont get treatment as soon as possible
due to various circumstances such as lack of money. Therefore, these are the most effective
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solutions, because it provides treatment at low cost and education that can help save millions of
lives.
However, some may argue that there are more important things than breast cancer
research such as education, and that funds should go to improving education than to medical
research. Many people do not want to invest funds in cancer research, because its such a
complex topic that theres no guarantee there will be a cure, despite this theres a positive side if
funds are increased, because the more research is done about breast cancer the closer scientist
would get to understand and develop a cure. On the other hand, education for people is the
number one priority, since is the way to become economically stable, and is benefiting the
country as a whole not just a certain population. The amount of funds going towards health care
is approximately 16% of our state budget, or about $170 billion., while funding for education
is one-fourth of states spending on average, or about $270 billion , goes towards public
education (Policy Basics: Where Do Our State Tax Dollars Go?).
Due to the fact that breast Cancer is the most common cancer among women and the
second main cause of deaths among ethnicities (World Cancer Research Fund) funding should be
increased and go towards research and education for women. Many women are not aware that
breast cancer is curable and treatable if action is taken. A mammogram examination once every
1-2 years can have a significant impact for women in their 40s. In the United States,
approximately 1/3 of women who had a mammography reduced their chance of developing
cancer by 40% during a period of 10 years, as oppose to those who dont get check up regularly
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(Mammography Facts). Scientist might not have found the perfect cure but they have found
ways to treat breast cancer and reduce its development.
There are several factors that can help prevent breast cancer if the people are educated
and have accessibility to a health care. The main cause of deaths from breast cancer cases is that
people are not aware of the risk factors in their daily lives. This is why the increase of federal
funds towards cancer research is extremely important.

















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Works cited
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"Breast Cancer Risk Factors." UCSF Medical Center. N.p., n.d. Thurs. 10 Apr. 2014.
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Campbell, Denis. "British Breast Cancer Rates 'four times Higher than Eastern Africa', Says
Report." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 09 Aug. 2010. thurs. 10 April. 2014.
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2014.
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