Breast Cancer Using Oral Contraceptives Lisney Rodriguez Gut

Breast Cancer Using Oral Contraceptiveslisney Rodriguez Gutierrezwest

Breast Cancer using oral contraceptives Lisney Rodriguez Gutierrez West Coast University NURS 540 Research Utilization Professor: Jennifer Ogier January 27, 2023

There is more to breast cancer than just gender, as age is also a major determinant. For every eight women, one would be affected with breast cancer in their lifetime, as per the statistics in the United States (Hu et al., 2021). Men are not exempt; breast cancer can also affect them. Other factors such as obesity, menopause, alcohol consumption, and genetic predispositions also influence the risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women and ranks as the third most lethal cancer type. The literature focuses on symptoms, predisposing factors, as well as prevention and control strategies for breast cancer in the current generation.

Causes of breast cancer include genetic mutations and inheritance of genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which collectively account for about fifteen percent of affected individuals (Harbeck et al., 2019). Several risk factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, including a family history, lack of breastfeeding, advanced age, and specific lifestyle choices. Notably, age is a significant concern, with women above 35 years being at higher risk, a correlation that is enhanced by the use of contraceptives and menopause.

Focusing on the specific factor of oral contraceptive use, epidemiological studies indicate that women who have used oral contraceptives have approximately a seven percent increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to women who have never used contraceptives or who use other methods of contraception. The hormonal interference caused by certain contraceptives plays a crucial role, as hormonal manipulation can increase susceptibility to breast malignancies (Kanadys et al., 2021).

Advancements in medical technology have significantly improved diagnosis and treatment options for breast cancer. Surgical procedures, such as lumpectomy or mastectomy, aim to remove cancerous tissue effectively (Arnold et al., 2022). When surgery is not sufficient, treatments like chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and imaging modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are employed to control and monitor the disease. Understanding the underlying causes of breast cancer enhances the potential for developing targeted prevention strategies and effective therapies (Britt et al., 2020). The literature underscores the importance of addressing misconceptions regarding risk factors and who is susceptible, emphasizing that women exposed to hormonal contraceptives may have a slightly increased lifetime risk.

In conclusion, breast cancer constitutes a major global health challenge and remains a leading cause of mortality among women. The research suggests that the use of oral contraceptives is associated with a modestly increased risk, highlighting the need for ongoing research and personalized risk assessment strategies. Advances in medical technology and continued research hold promise for reducing the disease burden. Societal support—financial, social, spiritual, and moral—is vital in aiding affected individuals and promoting awareness to facilitate early detection and intervention (Yedjou et al., 2019).

References

• Arnold, M., Morgan, E., Rumgay, H., Mafra, A., Singh, D., Laversanne, M., ... & Soerjomataram, I. (2022). The current and future burden of breast cancer: Global statistics for 2020 and 2040. The Breast, 66, 15-23.
• Britt, K. L., Cuzick, J., & Phillips, K. A. (2020). Key steps for effective breast cancer prevention. Nature Reviews Cancer, 20(8).
• Harbeck, N., Penault-Llorca, F., Cortes, J., Gnant, M., Houssami, N., & Poortmans, P. (2019). Breast cancer (Primer). Nature Reviews: Disease Primers, 5(1).
• Hu, C., Hart, S. N., Gnanaolivu, R., Huang, H., Lee, K. Y., Na, J., ... & Couch, F. J. (2021). A population-based study of genes previously implicated in breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(5), 440–451.
• Kanadys, W., Barańska, A., Malm, M., Błaszczyk, A., Polz-Dacewicz, M., Janiszewska, M., & Jędrych, M. (2021). Use of oral contraceptives as a potential risk factor for breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies up to 2010. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4638.
• Waks, A. G., & Winer, E. P. (2019). Breast cancer treatment: a review. JAMA, 321(3).
• Yedjou, C. G., Sims, J. N., Miele, L., Noubissi, F., Lowe, L., Fonseca, D. D., ... & Tchounwou, P. B. (2019). Health and racial disparity in breast cancer. Breast cancer metastasis and drug resistance: Challenges and progress, 31–49.