Early Breast Cancer Detection Saves Lives

Jordan Hamilton

Biology 1610

National Science Foundation

Feb. 13, 2017

Early Breast Cancer Detection Saves Lives

March 13, 2017

I chose this article in National Science Foundation, Early Breast Cancer Detection Saves Lives, because of my own personal experiences with women in my life who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  When I was fourteen  years old my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Over a two year span she had to go through several surgeries and other forms of treatments.  The effects of this experience (as a teenager)  has left an impression on me.  Today, I am aware of other women that I am close to who are battling this disease.

According to the Center for Disease Control breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women.  The idea of being able to detect Breast Cancer earlier is something that is of great interest and importance to me. 

According to the American Cancer Society most breast-cancer-related tests fall into one or more of the following categories:

Screening tests: Screening tests (such as yearly mammograms) are given routinely to people who appear to be healthy and are not suspected of having breast cancer. Their purpose is to find breast cancer early, before any symptoms can develop and the cancer usually is easier to treat.

Diagnostic tests: Diagnostic tests (such as biopsy) are given to people who are suspected of having breast cancer, either because of symptoms they may be experiencing or a screening test result. These tests are used to determine whether or not breast cancer is present and, if so, whether or not it has traveled outside the breast. Diagnostic tests also are used to gather more information about the cancer to guide decisions about treatment.

Monitoring tests: Once breast cancer is diagnosed, many tests are used during and after treatment to monitor how well therapies are working. Monitoring tests also may be used to check for any signs of recurrence.

The article Early Breast Cancer Detection Saves Lives discusses how Mamma Care technology can set the standards for clinical breast exams. 

Mamma Care is a revolutionary tool for teaching clinicians and women how to perform clinical breast exams.  Therefore, detecting lumps earlier when there is still time for early intervention.

The National Science Foundation funded this extensive series of trainings that promotes medical and scientific standards for early detection.  The Mamma Care system wants to modernize educational practices and materials related to cancer detection.  This product could have a valuable impact on how we detect breast cancer and will in effect save lives. The fact that this form of technology is available is something that we need to be sharing with others in order to promote early  detection and treatment.