By far, women are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer as compared to men. Part of the reason for this case is because women have a high number of breast cells compared to men. However, the main reason for the high cases of breast cancer among women, as opposed to men, is the exposure of women to growth-promoting effects of progesterone and estrogen hormones. Even though gender is a critical risk factor for breast cancer, age still proves to be the leading risk factor for breast cancer. The studies have revealed that there is a reduced probability of a person aged under 30 years developing breast cancer in the United Kingdom (UK). However, there is a sharp increase in this risk as the age increases. The risk of developing breast cancer in the UK for up to the age of 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, and lifetime risk is 1 in 1950 women, 1 in 210 women, 1 in 48 women, 1 in 22 women, 1 in 13 women and 1 in 8 women, respectively.
Further, the studies also show that more than two-thirds of the new cases of breast cancer in the UK occur among women aged at least 50 years. This case is due to tumors occurring over an extended period. As they happen, there is a gradual accumulation of mutations within the DNA of individual cells. Thus, as a person advances in age, it applies that they have had a long-time accumulating cell that contained unrepaired mutations and altered behavior. Women in their late stages of life have also had a long time of exposure to harmful environmental factors that are likely to promote mutation. Consequently, considering the age (56 years old) of the woman in the case described, she stands at a high risk of developing breast cancer.
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There are likely various risk factors that can predispose the described woman to develop breast cancer. However, the three most evident risk factors are insufficient breastfeeding, obesity, and genetic inheritance. Pregnancy and a significant time of breastfeeding contribute immensely to the suppression of ovaries producing estrogen. As a result, a woman has reduced overall exposure to estrogen, which greatly contributes to the development of breast cancer. From the description, the woman had a limited breastfeeding period, considering that she only had one child. Thus, she did not spend significant time breastfeeding.
Regarding body weight, the described woman is obese. She has a body mass index (BMI) of about 35. She is also past her menopause. From the study, it is very clear that obese women past their menopause are at a high risk of developing breast cancer. High body weight, in many cases, implies high body fat levels. A high amount of body fat leads to an increase in the secretion of estrogen hormone increases the chances of an older woman developing breast cancer. The case is slightly different in pre-menopause overweight women, who tend to have reduced ovulation. Thus, the described woman has a high risk of developing breast cancer compared to any other woman.
Lastly, there is also the genetic history of the close family members of the woman described as developing breast cancer. From the description, both her mother and aunt had cases of breast cancer, which were successfully treated. According to topic 7 section 3.3, the genetic susceptibility of an individual to breast cancer can result from the inheritance of a unique combination of gene variants. Thus, the woman has a high breast cancer susceptibility because of genetic inheritance from her mum. Hence, any mutation of her DNA can highly increase this risk.
It is indeed that squashing of breasts while taking a mammogram is uncomfortable. However, it is necessary for the process of screening using a mammogram. The squashing of breasts is necessary due to difficulties with contrast. The difference between tissue attenuation coefficients determines the contrast between various tissues. Further, denser tissues have higher attenuation coefficients compared to less dense tissues. Thus, to obtain the best contrast, the two tissues must be of varying attenuation coefficients. It is also challenging to generate a good contrast between two soft tissues. It is even more difficult if there is an exceedingly small tissue and a bigger tissue. Thus, the squashing of breasts helps in improving the contrast between normal tissues and the cancerous tissues within the breasts.
Squashing of breasts also helps in X-ray photon energy making the necessary difference. By squashing the breasts, the radiologists attempt to identify the possibility of the presence of small tumor tissue regions between the normal breast tissue. This is done from the understanding that the attenuation coefficient varies with the X-ray photon energy. Squashing also helps to obtain the best image of the target tissues. This is made possible by using X-rays with photon energy of as low energy as possible.
Regular screening of breast cancer has numerous advantages. Firstly, regular screening of breast cancer is essential for containing the spread of the cancerous tissues to other parts of the body that are not affected. The studies reveal that the high number of deaths from cancer results from the spread of cancerous cells to other body parts. Hence, by regular screening, there are high chances of saving lives early enough that they would otherwise succumb to breast cancer. Regular screening could also lead to early detection of the disease. Early detection of breast cancer is imperative in cutting the treatment extent and severity. First, early detection of the disease could mean that the process of treatment of the disease will only take a shorter route, which may include removal of the affected tissues as opposed to long procedures of mastectomy. It will also cost less as compared to the whole treatment process of full-blown breast cancer. Regular screening also helps in advising the close relatives of the breast cancer patient on the need to take necessary precautions regarding reducing the chances of developing the disease. Hence, in the long term, regular screening saves the financial position of an entire generation.
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