Breast cancer research highlights

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Together with its supporters, ACS is committed to helping people stay well and get well by finding cures and by fighting back.

Critical Thinking Questions:

1. Imagine that a family friend or colleague has just been diagnosed with cancer. Explain how the American Cancer Society might provide education and support. What ACS services would you recommend and why?

2. According to statistics published by the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 1.5 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year over the next decade. What factors contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans? What changes in policy and practice are most likely to affect these figures over time

3. Select a research program from among those funded by the American Cancer Society. Describe the program and discuss what impact the research will have on the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Discussion answered:

Topic 2 Mandatory Discussion Question by VD

The ACS provides support and education by linking people with different services that can help them through their recovery, treatments, and diagnosis.  They offer support by discussing diagnosis with patients, loved ones, and caregivers.  The ACS provides information on where to access care, educate on treatments and side effects of therapy.  They educate on how clinical trials work and assist in searching for specific studies one may be eligible to take part in.  The ACS offers education on how to manage treatment at home.  Support is offered to individuals and families to help them cope with the cancer diagnosis.  Families and caregivers are also provided with information about FMLA, tips on how to deal with loss, and palliative care.  They even arrange transportation to treatment sites (ACS, 2018).

My recommendation is the TLC: Hair Loss and Mastectomy Products service.  This is a service provided by the ACS for women who have suffered hair loss and other appearance-related side effects due to cancer treatment. They make it possible for survivors to purchase wigs, hairpieces, hats, turbans, breast forms, mastectomy bras, and mastectomy swimwear at an affordable cost (ACS, 2018). Body image problems can cause survivors to become reclusive.  These products can help in boosting survivor’s self-confidence

There are numerous contributing factors in the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in America such as a sedentary lifestyle – inactivity, smoking, drinking; Unhealthy eating habits leading to obesity, racial disparity, heredity, and lack of insurance or being inadequately insured (ACS, 2018). Changes in policy and practice that can help in changing these factors are eliminating cost sharing for screenings, tobacco cessation programs, weight loss programs/interventions will help significantly to because people will be more inclined to participate as there is no cost.  HPV vaccines and annual checkups are also equally as important in reducing mortality rates as young women will be more likely to embrace its use (ACSCAN, 2017).

Liquid biopsies: Past, Present, and Future is, a research program funded by the ACS. Scientists are investigating ways to test for cancer that’s easier on patients and provide faster results for doctors. The liquid used is the participant’s blood. The opinion is that doctors may one day be able to use a small sample of blood to screen for cancer before one starts showing symptoms.  It supports the concept of a single blood test to screen for several types of cancer.  Two types of cancer associated markers in the blood were studied to prove the presence of cancer and where it was. Though the result was not a slam dunk and far from complete it showed that the test was stronger on finding some types of cancer than others.  This research will one day allow doctors to determine if cancer is evident in someone by using one blood test.  Doctors will be able in monitor if a patient is developing resistance to treatment that was previously effective, or how a patient will respond to certain treatments.  This research will impact finding recurrence sooner and allowing for quicker treatment response (ACS, 2018).

References

American Cancer Society (ACS).  Cancer Facts & Figures 2018 (2018).  Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/

American Cancer Society (ACS) – Cancer Action Network (CAN).  (2017). Health Care Delivery Prevention and Early Detection.  Retrieved from https://www.acscan.org/policy-resources/strong-prevention-policies-will-reduce-cancer-burden

PLS RESPONSE TO THIS ABOVE

B- Discussion answered by ShB.

The American Cancer Society offers support to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer in a variety of ways (American Cancer Society, 2018). One of the most valuable resources they are able to offer is information about cancer, the treatment process, and answering any related questions that the patient and their family members may have. There is a hotline to call for this information at all times a day. Callers can also ask about rides or places to stay for treatment. Additionally, this organization offers a range of programs and services including hair loss and mastectomy products, assistance with appearance during and following treatment, and an online support community. I would recommend the hotline for patients who may experience frightening symptoms at odd hours and want to ask questions about them to assess the necessity for medical services.

A range of factors contribute to the yearly incidence and mortality rates of various cancers in Americans. In particular, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, the consumption of unhealthy food products, exposure to radiation and other chemicals, and an ageing population contributes to these rates (Chen, 2011). To fix this issue, there needs to be regulations to reduce the exposure of the public to carcinogens. This could include clean air and water regulations. In addition, it is important to promote healthy diet and exercise in schools.

One research project that is ongoing is called “Wearable, Painless Device May Help Personalize Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer” and it is being carried out in Boston University (American Cancer Society, 2018b). This takes advantage of fiber optics that are used for cable and other utilities, but as an imaging technique to see inside of breast tumors. This is thought to contribute to information that will allow physicians to customize the doses of chemotherapy prescribed to patients to maximize treatment effects while minimizing uncomfortable and painful side effects.