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Molly Wheatley November 8th, 2009 Senior Seminar

Do you know someone that suffers or has died from breast cancer? Many people do because it is the most common cancer in women. In the United States alone, breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S (Melissa Conrad). Many people know of breast cancer but do not know what it actually is. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from the cells of the breast. Malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may grow into surrounding tissues or spread to distant areas of the body (ACS). Breast Cancer can affect women of all ages but is most common in women between the ages of 45-55. Another thing that many people do not know is that it also affects men also. It is not as common like it is in women, but some men can get breast cancer. Many people would like to know, How has breast cancer affected women between the ages of 40 and up? There are several risk factors that increase the chance of women getting breast cancer. One of the most common risks factors is age. Women who are generally in between their 40-60 are more likely too have breast cancer occur. As women get older their chances increase. The personal history of breast cancer has a risk on the chances of woman getting breast cancer. If a women has breast cancer in one of their breast before their chances of getting it in their other breast is increasingly high. Also family history is a major risk. If a woman's family members such as ( mom, dad, sister, aunt) have had breast cancer before it also gives that women a greater chance of having breast cancer. Race is another risk factor because breast cancer is more common in women that are white than women that are Latina, Asian, and African American. Diet and alcohol are another major risk factor to breast cancer because the more alcohol you drink and the less women care about their diet their chances increase. Lastly, women who are lacking physical activity have a higher risk of breast cancer. All of these risks are a major reason to which how women are affected by breast cancer. There are many foundations out there that are doing things to help people that suffer from breast cancer. Some well known foundations are: Susan G Komen, National Breast Cancer Foundation, American Breast Cancer Foundation. These foundation's do many things such as: have event's to raise money for their foundation, have websites to have people donate money and many more things. All of these foundations are doing everything they can to try and find the cure. These foundations also sell many things like bracelets, shirts, rings, shoes,sweatshirts, pants and many more things to help raise money for the cure. One of the most important things that these foundations do is give out information all about breast cancer and sometimes give out free mammograms which they highly recommend women go for. These foundations relate back to how breast cancer affects women is how they raise money and give out information to help women and give them hope that suffer from breast cancer. About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American in 2009 (SGCF). It is sad to say this but it is very true, and that is why doctors are doing whatever they can to find treatment. Throughout the last couple decades doctors have become more advanced with their treatments which has increased the number of breast cancer survivors. Some recent treatment that we have today is surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and much more. There are many different treatments out their that all depend on your kind of breast cancer, but their has not been an actual cure. With all of these treatments there is obviously bad side effects. The side effects depends on your personal body and the way your body reacts to it, so that also depends on how long it will last whether it be for a couple days, or months. Although the side effects are bad, these treatments are highly recommended if you have breast cancer.