BREAST CANCER

Breast Cancer

“Are the women having enough awareness about breast cancer? If they have, then how effectively they are dealing with it?”

Cancer is a worldwide problem. Over half a million Americans were expected to die of cancer in 2008. Over 12 million new cases worldwide were diagnosed in 2007. Sixty percent of cancer cases occur in developing countries. Cancer is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries—cancer is the number one cause of death in China. Nanotechnology plays an increasing role in battling cancer worldwide and in achieving the U.S. National Cancer Institute's goal of eliminating suffering and death from cancer by 2015.

Cancer is a series of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and spread of cancerous cells through the body. A cancer is a disease characterized by the presence of one or more tumor malignant formed from the processing of mutations and/or instability gene (abnormal cytogenetics). Tumor cell transformation results due to several factors. Some factors include loss of cell cycle control, insensitivity to apoptosis and abnormalities in the repair of DNA. Cancers are classified by the type of cell in which they occurred by the transformation (lymphomas, carcinomas, sarcomas). Some primary tumors may progress to a broader invasion of the body when cells escape from the primary tumor, this is called metastasis.

Breast cancer is a condition that afflicts one in seven women nationally. It is the most prevalent cancer among women in the United States. Though it is a very serious condition, it is not the major killer of women, though many women and men seem to be ignorant of this fact.

Breast cancer became a highly politicized health topic in the late 20th century, as a coalition of national voluntary organizations and others collaborated to increase federal funding for breast cancer screening programs, influence policymakers to devote more funds to breast cancer research, and protect the rights of breast cancer survivors (Compas, Luecken, 2002). These organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, have continued focused efforts to influence policy at local, state, and federal levels; provide education about breast cancer to a broad array of publics; and fund breast cancer research and outreach activities. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society also perform services designed to help breast cancer survivors and their families cope with illness and recovery. (Compas, Luecken, 2002)

A number of organizations have also established partnerships with for-profit corporations to conduct fund-raising and awareness efforts, a practice that has caused some to criticize the ethics of employing a cause such as breast cancer in the marketing of products and services. Despite its critics, the practice has gained a foothold in U.S. culture, and the iconic pink ribbon, first worn on a lapel or collar to designate support of breast cancer awareness, is now a recognizable symbol that can be found everywhere—from yogurt labels and cereal boxes to cable television network logos (Helgeson, Snyder, Seltman, 2004). The results of the efforts of those involved in the breast cancer movement, culminating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month currently recognized each October, is an example of a highly successful social marketing ...