Shelby Whitler

Mrs. Jankowski
English 12H
19 November 2015

Breast Cancer Research

1,512

Every year when the annual Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure walk/run comes
around, everyone gathers their pink attire and suits up to show their support. During that
time the entire city turns pink in celebration of the survivors, remembrance of those who
have passed, and support of those strong women and men still fighting. Breast cancer is
a terrible disease and the Race for the Cure is an opportunity for people to show their
support and walk or run side by side with families who are remembering loved ones,
survivors who are able to participate and people who are currently in the act of fight.
Making it a beautiful way of finding a cure together.
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and grow without
their normal control (Cancer Facts and Figures 3). Breast cancer is very powerful and
takes over many lives each year. This year it is said there will be over 231,840 new
cases of invasive breast cancer and 40, 290 deaths (Cancer Facts and Figures 3). There
are ways to treat and try to prevent breast cancer, but nothing is one-hundred percent
effective.
There is truly no known cause of breast cancer, so instead of causes,
there is only risk factors. Risks of breast cancer are divided into three categories, chosen
risks, that are brought upon by self, unchangeable risks, that are genetic and can not be
changed, and unproven risks, that are just stated but not proven. Chosen risks include:
smoking, drinking, diet choices, and choosing to take or get birth control (American
Cancer Society 3). Each of these chosen risks have been proven to enhance chances of

breast cancer. Unchangeable risks include: gender, age, genetics, family history, and
race (American Cancer Society 4-20). These factors can not be changed and can
enhance peoples chances for getting breast cancer by almost 50%. These risks have
been tested and proven but, there are some that have not. The unproven risks include,
wearing bras, breast implants, keeping cell phones too close to the breasts, and some
personal body care products (American Cancer Society 56). Although these risks have
never been proven, people are still hesitant and try to avoid them.
There are just as many symptoms and treatments than risks. Symptoms
can vary from a lump in the breast, swelling in the armpit, pain or tenderness in the
breast, change in size of breast, burning, or even severe itching (Understanding Breast
Cancer Symptoms 1-9) . Also a noticeable flattening or indentation on the breast, may
indicate that the tumor cannot be seen or even felt (Understanding Breast Cancer
Symptoms 5). Some may see all the symptoms, and some may see none. Everyones
body reacts to diseases differently and may just need to be checked or check
themselves regularly to be safe. If checked and the disease is found there is many
treatments. These treatments include, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, total
mastectomy (total removal of the breasts), and radiation. These treatments can come
with side effects and even infection. In the end, any treatment with hope, people will do
and hope for the best.
All the treatments above have been tested and approved by the FDA.
Like stated, these treatments give the victims of breast cancer a glimpse of hope. All
planned reviews and tests for breast cancer treatments, are moved to the top of the
FDAs list of to dos, most taking a year or less for answers (Hope or Hoax? 7). The FDA
also has to decide if the treatments benefits outweigh the the risks. They state that
cancer drugs often have serious side effects but the disease they are treating is also
very serious. The FDA wants to make sure new treatments provide benefits that

outweigh the risks, before putting them on the market for patients to use (Hope or Hoax?
6). The FDA wants the best for all patients taking drugs approved by them. The FDA also
denies unapproved drugs as well.
With testing every drug brought to the FDAs attention, many drugs are
denied. For example, herbal treatments and diet ideas brought to the lab, have been
proven harmful, containing unknown substances. The unknown substances have been
proven to be toxic and even deadly, if taken by anyone diagnosed with breast cancer
( Hope or Hoax? 3). Victims of breast cancer feel as though there are people trying to
make money off of their disease. Giving them false hope that some of the treatments are
worth trying, when in the end they may lose their life. The FDA has come in contact with
a new treatment called Cancell. This treatment is a dark brown liquid, and is made up
of ordinary chemicals. The people of Cancell state that the product is nontoxic and has
no side effects. No tests or reviews have been made on Cancell by the FDA. The FDA
has conducted many investigations on Cancell, and has taken its promoters to court to
try and stop the distribution (Hope or Hoax? 14). The FDA wants to give the patients
hope by giving them approved treatments, rather than making them feel like lab rats to
people just trying to make an extra buck.
One of the hardest decisions for the patients and family members
themselves, is who they want to trust. Patients will trust any and every treatment
approved by the FDA but some want to take the easy way out. When patients or family
members ask for help on who to trust, they are told to use accountability as the criterion
(Hope or Hoax? 26). People or the FDA whose work is done openly and who are actual
medical specialists, can be ruined if they release false information. They are required to
to tell patients and family members about any possible side effects and risks, not just all
the benefits ( Hope or Hoax? 26). In the end sticking with treatments approved by

certified medical institutions or organizations will be the better choice for the patient.
New research is always is great but maybe not all the time.
One example of amazing new research is the removing of an ovary or
both. It is said that having surgery to remove the ovaries can significantly lower risks of
dying from breast cancer (Removing Ovaries During Breast Cancer 1). Facts show that
women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, have up to a 70% chance of getting
breast cancer ( Removing Ovaries During Breast Cancer 2). With the high risks of
inheriting this disease, people will go ahead with the procedure. With the removal of the
ovaries, patients have a 62% reduction in the risk of death of breast cancer ( Removing
Ovaries During Breast Cancer 4). Dr. Robert DeBernardo states, The ovaries make the
estrogen, and if we take it out, we expect to see less estrogen positive breast cancers,
but we see a benefit from estrogen negative cancers. That very well may be because the
ovary doesnt just make estrogen or progesterone. It may also make some other things
that we have not recognized. (Dr. Robert DeBernardo 6). Removing of the ovaries can
prevent more than just breast cancer, making it a great treatment for someone who may
have a high risk for other diseases. The higher the success rate of removing the ovaries,
the more positive publicity it will receive, causing more awareness.
The removing of the ovaries would only be a small addition to the
awareness breast cancer already has. Barack Obama presented a proclamation stating
every October will be National Breast Cancer Awareness Month ( Proclamation 9334National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1). Every October america is said to stand
together with those battling cancer and those at risk. Like Obama stated, We join
hands with our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends to spread support. (Barack
Obama 1). Obama says all businesses, government agencies, not for profits, and all
other groups, decorate and celebrate this month every single year. Turning the United
States, pink in support.

Not only is there a huge amount of awareness but just as much outreach.
Starting with the National Active Plan that announced they were seeking creative
research and outreach projects to fund in 6 priority areas of breast cancer (Breast
Cancer Research Outreach 1). They funded up to 3 million dollars and offered grants up
to $50,000. All the money was said to go towards any and everything breast cancer
related, and to help find a much needed cure.
In the future, there is hope a cure will emerge and many peoples lives will
be unaffected by the terrible disease. For now the treatments available are saving lives
and doing a great job of curing many cases. All the awareness is having people get
checked, and or checking themselves on a regular basis, giving them a bigger
opportunity to catch the disease quick. Finding the disease early can save a life, so
advise from many: do monthly self examinations to keep yourself aware, walk/run
regularly in a breast cancer awareness race, and ALWAYS wear and think. We can and
will save the tatas together.

Works Cited
American Cancer Society. CAncer FActs and Figures 2015". Susan G. Komen. 2015.
Web.4 Nov 2015.
Gelbert, L. Hope or Hoax?. FDA Consumer. Mar 1992: 10. MAS Ultra. Web. 9 Nov 2015.
n.a. Breast Cancer Research Outreach Projects Sought. Nations Health. Jun 1995: 18. MAS
Ultra. Web. 9 Nov 2015.
n.a. What are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?. American Cancer Society. 10 Jun 2015.

WEb. 9 Nov 2015.

n.a. Breast Cancer Treatment. NAtional Cancer Institute. 22 Oct 2015. Web. 4 Nov 2015.
n.a. Understanding Breast Cancer Symptoms. WebMD. 2005-2015. Web. 4 Nov 2015.
Obama, Barack. Proclamation 9334-National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Dailyompilation of Presidential Documents. 30 Sep 2015: 2. MAS Ultra. Web. 9 Nov
2015.
Sifferlin, Alexander. Removing Ovaries During Breast Cancer could Save Lives, New Research
Says. Time.com. 29 Apr 2015: 1. MAS Ultra. Web. 9 Nov 2015.

Introduction
Thesis
I.
A.
1.
2.
3.

Prevention
Stats and define
cells divide
231,840 new cases
40,290 deaths

B. causes
1.

chosen risks

2.
3.

unchangeable risks
unproven risk

C. symptoms and treatments

1.
2.
3.

radiation
chemo, total mastectomy
lumps and armpits

II. Controversy
A.
1.
2.
3.

Hope
FDA put cancer tests first
makes sure they are safe
all answered within a year

1.
2.
3.

untested treatments
have dangerous chemicals
most cause death

B. hoax

C. who to trust
1.
2.
3.

FDA
untrained people
themselves

III. Treatment outcomes

A.
1.
2.
3.

new research
removing ovaries
50% lower death rate
remove to prevent BC

B. Awareness
1.
2.
3.

NBCAM in October
everyone decorates
celebrate with all breast cancer fighters, survivors and remembering the late

C. Outreach
1.
2.
3.

conclusion

seeking outreach
funding 3 million
granted $50, 000