Briefly describe the risk factors for breast and cervical cancer, the treatment options available, and their likely outcomes.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

a. Breast cancer
Risk factors: Breast cancer in women can be due to genetic factors, long-term use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and obesity. Scientists have identified two breast cancer genes: Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) on chromosome 17 and Breast Cancer 2 (BRCA2) on chromosome 13. Mutations of these genes create a high risk of breast cancer.
Treatment: Several types of surgery may be performed when a breast lump is found to be malignant. If the lump is small and has not spread, the surgery may involve only a lumpectomy, in which the lump and a small bit of surrounding tissues are removed. Other surgeries include radical mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, and simple mastectomy. Following surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy are used. These may be followed by drug therapy such as tamoxifen.
Outcomes: Treatments are generally highly effective and if the cancer is localized, the survival rate is more than 98 percent five years after treatment. However, apart from this, the psychological impact of breast cancer and mastectomy can be enormous.
b. Cancer of the cervix
Risk factors: Approximately 95 percent of cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus, HPV. Early initiation of heterosexual intercourse during the teenage years and intercourse with multiple partners are known risk factors for cervical cancer.
Treatment: Treatment varies according to how advanced the cancer is when diagnosed and includes methods such as cryotherapy, cone biopsy, hysterectomy, and radiation therapy.
Outcomes: A hysterectomy carries risks similar to those of any major surgery however, it does not leave women "masculinized" and they can continue having intercourse.