Linda Vo
Karen Morris
English 1102-XX
12 February 2011
Struggling to Fight
There might be many arguments by women around America about breast cancer. All in all, there are not any real answers given because researchers like the American Cancer Society are still trying to understand about breast cancer. What the American Cancer Society can state is practice preventative measures so that the cancer will not spread around the body (Berger). About 200,000 women are diagnosed with cancer every year, and one fourth of them will die (Berger). How will these numbers decrease? The only ways of decreasing the statistics is to do little things like taking care of the body. The human body is always in high demand for enough work in the body and nourishments, even if it is in the pill form. Once pronounced having cancer, it is extremely difficult to forgo other daily activities like working or cleaning around the house. Therefore, many women are discouraged so they choose to not take any more caution. However, taking more precaution even when pronounced in a cancer state helps little by little to fight off cancer for good and prevent death.
How does cancer find a way to the breast? For short, the cancer starts in the lining of the ducts or lobules which is where breast milk is either made or tubes carrying breast milk (Breast Cancer Stages and Descriptions). This can also be described as early stage of cancer. However, if not taken care of, stage 2 of cancer will develop which is the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes, small clusters of immune fighting cells, which is located under the arms (Breast Cancer Stages and Descriptions). Once the cancer has spreaded to the lymph nodes, then the cancer cells will continue going through the body and attacking organs like the liver (Breast Cancer Stages and Descriptions). Liver failure may occur and death can be the next to last stage of breast cancer (Breast Cancer Stages and Descriptions). Early detection can reduce the risks of stage 2 cancer, but it depends on the person with cancer (Breast Cancer Stages and Descriptions).
The American Cancer Society said that regular check-ups and mammograms in women reduce breast cancer deaths (Berger). It will detect any lumps or future lumps in the breast by screenings. Self examinations can help a woman find some lumps, but a mammogram captures it through radiation (Mammography). However, how many screenings are needed? This topic has been argued for months because the screenings involve radiation which is still bad for the body. The radiation may have some sort of reason that cancer started in the first place (Berger). In truth, it depends on how much radiation is used and how many times does a recommended mammogram screening calls for (Mammography). This is why the American Cancer Society and doctors around the world has recommended mammogram screenings once a year (Berger). Even if radiation is involved in the mammogram, early detection helps because self examinations cannot show what is inside the breast (Mammography). Women should not take the risk of not having a mammogram done because it is an even more risk of cancer or cancer spreading (Mammography).
Researchers, such as The American Cancer Society found out that the lower the level of vitamin D in the body, then the more significant triple-negative cancer will show (Gutierrez). What does this all mean? It means that this type of cancer is the most aggressive to treat and drugs will not help at all (Gutierrez). The statistics that are provided by these researchers states that the rates are higher in Hispanic or Black women because of their dark pigmentation (Gutierrez). Why does this occur? Researcher, Susan Steck stated, “"We know that darker skin pigmentation acts somewhat as a block to producing vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is the primary source of vitamin D in most people.” If comparing white women with percent levels of vitamin D deficiency, it is only 15 percent versus black or Hispanic women which had a high 60 percent deficiency (Gutierrez). This can all be prevented by taking more vitamin D pills or going out to the sun more (Gutierrez). Many can argue the fact that if the pill does not work, and cancer is seen, then it was a waste of time (Gutierrez). However, breast cancer is a serious matter which should take heavy care. If women with darker skin complexion cannot receive enough vitamin D, then pill forms do exist. Lives are at stake because this cancer can kill people all over America. If women do not take care of their bodies, then they will increase statistics every day.
By eating greater amounts of fruits and vegetables, it will help breast cancer from reoccurring by one third (Chow). However, it applies to only a few women, not all. Women need to take in twice the amount of vegetables and fruits as compared to 5 servings a day (Chow). There could be many ways to have a relapse on breast cancer, but there are preventions in relapsing to occur. The reason thus being is because the fruits give a higher vitamin C intake which is great for the body, and some vegetables do the same thing also (Chow). However, not everyone will have this effect because all cases vary from one or another. Some women may state that no matter how much eating vegetables or fruits, the results are still the same (Chow). In fact, eating right has a great impact for the body because it gives off the right nutrients (Chow). Taking small steps to prevent cancer is a better way than not practicing preventions because cancer can happen to anyone (Chow). It only takes a matter of time for cancer to hit, but preventing it from happening is a great thing than letting it enter the body.
Cancer can hit any women at either an old or younger age. It does not matter what age that cancer occurs; it matters on the person’s health. Taking care of the body is the most extremity because the body needs too much in order for it to claim itself healthy. This being said, even if mammograms contain radiation, the x-rays still help discover any lumps inside the breast. Also, taking supplemental vitamins every day is a great thing because vitamins are not like over the counter drugs that harm the body; it just helps on what the body is lacking. Eating more fruits and vegetables gives an increase of antioxidants which is good for the body. All of these avoidances can make a difference regardless of how little they are. Every little thing counts to prevent breast cancer from happening because it will make a difference when breast cancer statistics are decreased every day.
Work Cited
Berger, Eleni. "Mammograms Reduce Breast Cancer Deaths, Studies Show." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. Web. 10 Feb. 2011.
"Breast Cancer Review." A Comprehensive Cancer Information Website Written in Simple Language for Everyone to Understand about Cancer. Web. 09 Feb. 2011.
"Breast Cancer Stages and Descriptions." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 10 Feb. 2011.
Chow, Rueben. “High Intake of Fruits and Vegetables may Lower Risk of Breast Cancer Relapse.” Natural News Network. (2003); Web. 28 Jan. 2011.
Gutierrez, David. “Vitamin D Levels found to be Extremely Low in Women with Breast Cancer.” Natural News Network. (2003); Web. 14 Jan. 2011.
"Mammography." RadiologyInfo - The Radiology Information Resource for Patients. Web. 11 Feb. 2011.
"What Is Breast Cancer - Breast Cancer Center - EverydayHealth.com." Health Information, Resources, Tools & News Online - EverydayHealth.com. American Cancer Society. Web. 04 Feb. 2011.
Reflection:
Reflection:
I felt that it was extremely challenging to write the first draft in a class because I do not know what the teacher expects. I am afraid to get a bad grade in class so therefore it is more difficult for me to write out the essay than actually writing a great essay.
My first draft was in horrible shape because I did not know what to write about actually. I mean, doing the wiki’s was supposed to help, but it did not help me at all. I spent almost three days writing the final essay because the first draft needed a lot of fixing up to do. I made changes according to what needed to be changed, and changed a lot more things also.
The peer review helped me with input because the editor told me that I needed detail, which I added. I added more things that I needed for the paper so that it would turn to be a good paper. I felt good about the paper because I spent a lot of time working on it.
My mother influenced me in writing about the topic for the essay. She has been my role model for a very long time. I know that my first draft definitely needed a lot of work so I tried my best to revise it.
It was very difficult because I switched into the class kind of late so therefore I was already behind on the first day. I had to ask a friend to fill me details on what I had to do, and what you also had to expect from me and the class your teaching. It was extremely difficult for me to create a thesis statement because my words are always jumbled into my mind and I can never figure out how to put it down into sentences that make sense.
I felt that I knew the topic more because I have done plenty of research when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. My writing needs a lot of work by narrowing the subjects and writing it into a deep subject. I tend to go off of subject which I really need to work on.
The wiki in the end helped me with my research because it helped me make my information more processed than the rough draft that I wrote about. I did not really use other people’s wiki’s but I think I should have for my essay.
Yes the posting of wiki did help because it was a new thing to do in my opinion.
This research was difficult because writing is a broad subject that takes a lot of time to deepen. I could not deepen my essay as much as I wanted because there was too much of a broad aspect into it.
