breast cancer

Question 1

breast cancer incidence

Answer 1

• most common cancer in women
• 1/3 women with cancer have breast cancer

Question 2

types of breast cancer

Answer 2

• Diff types based on which cells are cancerous (main parts of breast are ducts, lobules, connective tissue)
• In situ or invasive
• Most common type= invasive ductal carcinoma

Question 3

breast cancer risk factors

Answer 3

• Over 50 (#1 factor)
• Female
• Family history
• Mutations on BRCA1 or BRCA2
• Estrogen levels because more fluctuations
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Reproductive factors like later menopause or earlier period onset

Question 4

breast cancer Evolutionary Pathways/force

Answer 4

• Evolutionary mismatch
• Used to have earlier, longer breastfeeding periods, sparser diets, less periods but now diet and exercise cause higher estrogen and IGf1 levels so more cycles
• Longer lives so don’t select against because cancer is after reproductive period
• More carcinogens in our environment
• More periods = more estrogen fluctuation = causes 1/3 cancers
• Overnutrition and bad quality = obesity = more insulin and IGF = hyperlipidemia = more cancer

Question 5

modern reproductive patterns

Answer 5

• Nulliparity/low parity = none or few kids
• Age of menarche: later vs earlier getting period
• Delayed reproduction
• Increased life expectancy
• menopause

Question 6

previous and current breast cancer treatments

Answer 6

Previous: radical mastectomy (Halsted) and modified version
Current: lumpectomy, radiation (PBI, IMRT, brachytherapy, intraoperative therapy), chemo

Question 7

Lifestyle changes to decrease risk of Breast cancer

Answer 7

• Have children at a younger age
• Increase # of kids you have
• Optimal birth intervals