| The decline in mortality rates among breast cancer | | | | of breast cancer also high. However, even if one |
| patients can be credited to breast cancer research. | | | | inherits a bad gene, one gene is sufficient to do its |
| While advocates would argue that it is early | | | | task, which is to control cell growth. It is therefore |
| detection and breast cancer awareness that have | | | | important to take care of this gene. If both genes |
| saved more lives, it cannot be denied also that | | | | are damaged, cell growth cannot be controlled |
| research also made a contribution in this undertaking. | | | | anymore. This being so, the abnormal, uncontrollable |
| With the millions of dollars spent on research, it is | | | | cell growth results in cancer cells. Recent studies now |
| only logical for research to generate more discoveries | | | | show that aside from these two genes, there is |
| and developments. | | | | another gene called HMMR that increases breast |
| Breast cancer research is usually done by agencies | | | | cancer risk. A mutation of this gene increases the risk |
| such as the National Cancer Institute and by breast | | | | of breast cancer. Studies show that women with a |
| cancer associations. The National Cancer Institute has | | | | mutation in this gene have a risk which is 2.7 times |
| organized a Progress Review Group, composed of | | | | higher than those without it. It was also seen that |
| members from different fields such as scientific, | | | | this gene interacts with BRCA1 and their interaction |
| medical, industry and advocacy communities, that | | | | results in gene alteration, making either gene unstable |
| convene to discuss research issues. They release | | | | and paving the way for breast cancer to develop. |
| recommendations for a research agenda, which | | | | Research and clinical studies have shown that there |
| contain research goals in different fields such as | | | | are certain workplaces where breast cancer risk |
| biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, and others. | | | | factors may be increased. These are working in a |
| Breast cancer associations also fund their own | | | | textile industry and in hospital departments where |
| research and submit whatever recommendations that | | | | radiation may be exposed. While these increase the |
| they may come up with. What they usually conduct | | | | risk, there are also factors that reduce the risk. |
| are clinical trials, where effects of new treatments | | | | These include working in a managerial position and |
| are studied among those diagnosed with breast | | | | eating a high-fiber, low salt diet. |
| cancer. Organizations also lobby the passage of laws | | | | Another research was made to determine the |
| both at the state and national level for the allocation | | | | connection between fat consumption and breast |
| of more funds for research. | | | | cancer risk and researchers found that there was no |
| One of the more important aspects of breast cancer | | | | association between fat consumption, whether |
| research is identifying risk factors. By identifying risk | | | | monounsaturated, polyunsaturated or saturated, and |
| factors and controlling those which are modifiable, we | | | | the overall risk for breast cancer. |
| are able to reduce the risk of breast cancer | | | | Researchers are still studying the effects of birth |
| incidence. Treatments are also being developed to | | | | control pills to breast cancer risk. While recent studies |
| control, if not eliminate, the "uncontrollable" risk | | | | showed a slight link, the results are not conclusive |
| factors. Development of new technology for better | | | | yet. |
| breast imaging is also being done. With better | | | | Breast cancer research is an important aspect in the |
| equipment, tumors can be more easily detected, | | | | fight against breast cancer. Without it, no new |
| even for those women who have high breast | | | | treatments are made available, no new risk factors |
| density. | | | | are discovered. That is why it is necessary to fund |
| Among the developments in breast cancer research | | | | research programs of the government and of other |
| is the discovery of a new gene that can increase | | | | organizations dedicated to public service. Participate in |
| breast cancer risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are the two | | | | fund-raising activities or make donations by |
| genes that can be linked to breast cancer and these | | | | supporting causes or purchasing merchandise where a |
| are genes that we inherit from our parents. That is | | | | fraction of the sales is given to fund research. These |
| why if one parent has had cancer, the risk of | | | | donations, minimal as they may be, will go a long way |
| acquiring this defective gene is high, making the risk | | | | to help us fight breast cancer. |