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What is Breast Cancer?
Simply speaking, breast cancer is a type of cancer in which cells in the
breast become abnormal and grow and divide uncontrollably.
The majority of breast cancers begin in the (milk) ducts within the breast;
the next most common site is the lobules - the glandular tissue that makes milk.
Darwinian Perspective
Charles Darwin said that all life adheres to the principle of "Survival of
the Fittest", where the strongest, most adapted species would survive the brutality of nature and pass their genes onto their
offspring, hence, eliminating the weak and less adapted species. Darwinian medicine holds that there are evolutionary explanations
for human disease. It explained why humans, in general, are susceptible to some diseases and not to others (Nesse and Williams
1996).
Symptoms
Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain or show any symptoms. But
as the cancer grows, it can cause changes as below:
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast.
- A change in the size or shape of the breast.
- A discharge from the nipple.
- A change in the color or feel of the skin of the
breast, areola, or nipple.
For more details, visit: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000913.htm#Symptoms
Proximate Causes
Proximate explanations address how the body works and why some people get
a disease and others don't (Nesse and Williams 1996). There are two categories of causes for breast cancer – modifiable
(controllable) and non-modifiable (uncontrollable) factors.
Non-modifiable Factors:
Gender: Women are much more
likely to develop breast cancer. Men account for only 1%-2% of all cases
Age: The risk increases as
you age, but cancer in younger women is increasing too.
Genetics: If you inherited
a genetic mutation, the risk is as high as 80%.
Race: White women have a higher
risk of developing breast cancer than other ethnic group.
Family History: Having a first
degree relative (mother, daughter, or sister) that has been diagnosed with breast cancer increases your risk.
Personal History: If you have
had breast cancer in the past, your risk is increased.
Modifiable Factors:
Smoking: Quitting smoking
will decrease your risk.
Alcohol: High alcohol intake
is associated with an increased risk.
Radiation Exposure: Being
exposed to high levels of radiation increases the risk.
Lifestyle: Decreased physical
activity, obesity, and a high-fat diet increase the risk.
Evolutionary Causes
The book Why We Get Sick proposed six categories of evolutionary explanations
of disease (Nesse and Williams 1996). The category of novel environment contributes to breast cancer mostly. It explains human bodies were designed millions years ago when small group of people hunting and gathering
in Africa. However, nowadays,
people are living in the environment with fatty diets, automobiles, drugs, and artificial lights. Natural selection has not
had time to revise our bodies for coping with the new environment. The mismatch
between our design and our environment arises many modern diseases.
Treatment Options for Breast Cancer
Women with breast cancer have many treatment options. These include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and biological therapy.
These options are described below (MedlinePlus 2005).
Surgery
Surgery is the most common treatment for breast cancer. There are several
types of surgery.
Breast-sparing surgery: An
operation to remove the cancer but not the breast is called breast-sparing surgery.
Mastectomy: An operation to
remove the breast.
Radiation Therapy
Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It generally follows breast-sparing
surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs may be given
as a pill or by injection into a vein.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy keeps cancer cells from getting the natural hormones (estrogen
and progesterone) they need to grow.
Biological Therapy
Biological therapy uses the body's natural ability (immune system) to fight
cancer.
Follow-up usually includes examination of the breasts, chest, neck, and underarm
areas. Because a woman who has had breast cancer is at risk of getting cancer again, she should have mammograms of the preserved
breast and/or opposite breast.
REFERENCES
MedlinePlus. 2005. Breast Cancer Symptoms [online]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000913.htm#Symptoms. Assessed 2005 Jun 27.
MedlinePlus. 2005. Breast Cancer Treatment [online]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000913.htm#Treatment. Assessed 2005 Jun 27.
Nesse RM, Williams GC. 1996. Why we get sick. New York: Vintage Books. 290 p.
