Cancer: Definition and Statistics
Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrollable cell growth and the potential spread of the cells to other parts of the human body. While normal cells have a limited life span, cancer cells can form new cells, invading other tissues and growing into tumors. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in different parts of the breast: the ducts, lobules, areola, stroma, or blood vessels. Breast cancer mostly occurs only in women, but in some cases, it may occur in men.
In the last 50 years, the mortality from breast cancer has declined by 20% in the United States (Solanki & Visscher, 2019). However, the disease remains one of the common causes of cancer deaths due to its various distinct pathogenic forms, with each tumor requiring an individual approach in therapy and treatment. This paper will discuss the pathophysiology of the disease, its signs and symptoms, explain how the disease is diagnosed, and review the most recent evidence-based treatment modalities.
Pathophysiology, Signs, and Symptoms of the Disease
The immune system and immune cells present in breast tissue are capable of seeking and destroying cancer cells. However, the progression of the disease can point to the failure in the immune system’s work. The common signs associated with breast cancer include lumps or thickening in the part of the breast, change in the shape of the breast, pain, and nipple discharge.
Other signs include breast skin irritation and redness or flakiness of the skin in the nipple area. However, it is essential to consider that these signs and symptoms can also point to other conditions besides cancer. Therefore, seeking help for an accurate diagnosis is crucial in case one or more symptoms are detected.
Diagnostic Testing and Clinical Rationales
Current diagnosis measures for breast cancer include different tests performed with assistance from breast specialists and surgeons. Breast ultrasound is used to acquire an image of the breast’s internal structure. The method is commonly used in cases where physical examination discovers abnormal lumps or swelling in the breast. Thus, ultrasound presents a safe, noninvasive procedure without the use of radiation that recreates the image of internal breast structure through the use of sound waves.
On the other hand, breast cancer can be diagnosed with the use of a mammogram, which presents an X-ray image of the breast. Mammograms can detect early signs of breast cancer, which is why regular mammograms are used as a preventive care measure for the population.
Furthermore, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method can be used in patients with breast cancer to measure the disease’s extent. The method is also commonly used to diagnose breast cancer in younger women with increased breast tissue density and patients with a higher risk of developing the disease.
Lastly, biopsy presents an alternative to ultrasound testing procedure in cases where a mammogram identified a possibility of breast cancer. A small piece of tissue or fluid is extracted from the breast for a more detailed examination during the biopsy. The research conducted by Jafari et al. (2018) suggests that using biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis can become a cost-efficient alternative to expensive imaging techniques. Thus, there are different diagnostic testing methods for breast cancer, allowing the selection of the most suitable option for each case.
Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities from Professional Guidelines
The choice of treatment options for breast cancer presents an essential step because it needs to consider the possible risks and side effects. The American Cancer Society (2022) defines two treatment modalities for the disorder: local and systemic. Local treatments focus on direct treatment of the tumor without influencing the rest of the body; thus, local treatment includes surgery and subsequent radiation therapy. Surgery as a treatment for breast cancer can focus on removing the part of the breast containing cancer or removing the entire breast (mastectomy). Furthermore, radiation therapy is used to reduce the chances of cancer cells’ growth in the future.
Systemic treatments for breast cancer focus on preventing cancer cells’ growth and spread. Thus, chemotherapy uses the bloodstream to reach cancer cells and prevent their spread. Chemotherapy can also be combined with other treatment measures to increase the chances for positive outcomes.
Next, hormone therapy prevents cancer cells’ growth by eliminating the attachment of estrogen and progesterone to cancer cells. Targeted drug therapy can also be combined with other treatment options to improve the immune system’s work.
Lastly, immunotherapy focuses on boosting the functioning of the immune system to improve its ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. According to Cilibrasi (2021), innate and adaptive immune cells can contribute to cancer progression despite their initial role in protecting the host. Thus, reconstitution of the immune system represents the most promising cancer treatment option for the future.
Implications for Master’s Prepared Nursing Practice
Nurses play an essential role in informing patients because, among the medical staff, nurses most often communicate directly with patients. In this case, the information is valuable for the practice of a master’s prepared nurse because it provides all the necessary information that patients with breast cancer need. Thus, a significant patient safety issue that can be addressed for a patient with breast cancer is the lack of patient-centered care.
References
American Cancer Society. (2022). Treating breast cancer. Web.
Cilibrasi, C., Papanastasopoulos, P., Samuels, M., & Giamas, G. (2021). Reconstituting immune surveillance in breast cancer: Molecular pathophysiology and current immunotherapy strategies. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(21), 1-18. Web.
Jafari, S. H., Saadatpour, Z., Salmaninejad, A., Momeni, F., Mokhtari, M., Nahand, J. S., Rahmati, M., Mirzaei, H., & Kianmehr, M. (2018). Breast cancer diagnosis: Imaging techniques and biochemical markers. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 233(7), 5200–5213. Web.
Solanki, M., & Visscher, D. (2020). Pathology of breast cancer in the last half century. Human Pathology, 95, 137–148. Web.
