The prevalence of breast cancer in the world has prompted various research efforts in an attempt to understand the illness. The devastating result of its development as witnessed in increased mortality has motivated the development of new diagnostic and treatment approaches to be adopted to reduce its prevalence (Lenk, 2009). For this reason, various researchers have focused their studies on how to treat this deadly ailment. Some of these researchers are Gabriel Hortobagyi and Alastair Wood. This paper will carry out a qualitative analysis and critique of their work on the treatment of breast cancer.
Problem Statement
The clinical problem of breast cancer is based on the rate of prevalence in the world. A rising number of women are being diagnosed with the illness on a daily basis. Breast cancer has been associated with increasing mortality among women who are diagnosed with the ailment hence prompting dedicated attention in an attempt to resolve the situation, which has become a major health issue confronting countries worldwide.
The research problem lies in the lack of updated information regarding breast cancer, its diagnosis, and tested and tried treatment options developed to reduce its prevalence. In this case, Hortobagyi and Wood (1998) note that the review on the management of cancer was last carried out in the year 1992. The authors established the significance of the study based on the worrying trends of the prevalence of breast cancer. For the past thirty years, the United States has witnessed a steady increase in the prevalence of the disease, for instance, in the year 1997, an estimate of 181,600 new cases were reported in the country alone. From these statistics, it was estimated that 44,190 people suffering from the illness were likely to die from breast cancer (Smith, 2006).
Purpose and Research Questions
The availability of the gaps of knowledge provides the impetus of carrying out this research. As a result of a lack of updated information about breast cancer, the diagnostic and treatment options available, as well as a general understanding of the illness, the purpose of this research has been exclusively based on the determination of this vital information.
Even though the authors have not explicitly provided the research questions, the following is a compilation of the study’s research questions inferred from the provided information:
What is the biologic behavior of breast cancer?
What are the potential risk factors and prognostic factors can influence the development of breast cancer?
What is the association between genetic abnormalities and the development of invasive breast cancer?
Which diagnostic and therapeutic approaches can be adopted to treat breast cancer?
The above identified research purpose and the questions guiding the study are closely related to the problem. The questions and the purpose are directly focused on addressing the problem through the provision of relevant and current data.
The qualitative methods applied in the study have adequately addressed the research problem. This is based on the evidence provided by various studies by other researchers who have provided the needed information connected to the research study.
Literature Review
The research study relies majorly on quantitative data to provide a systematic and objective basis for determining appropriate interventions adopted as focused on the research problem. The authors in line with the recommendations from the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute emphasize on the undertaking of mammography tests as a form of systematic screening as they have been proved to be reliable applications of early diagnostic tools of breast cancer. The test sought to determine the relative risk of succumbing to the illness in several countries in which case the participants were monitored over different durations, across different ages. The data proved that early screening tests coincided with a relative decrease in the risk of death from breast cancer and, therefore, women were advised of undertaking such tests from an earlier age for diagnostic purposes.
Another quantitative test involved the use of Individual and Pooled Odds Ratios for Survival which considered the determination of the preferences of breast cancer treatment, in which case involved either Breast-Conserving Therapy or Mastectomy. In this case, women who were diagnosed with early breast cancer preferred Breast-Conserving Therapy, also referred to as lumpectomy, in which case wide incision of the cancer is carried out while conserving the breast and which in turn is combined with radiography. This differs from women who preferred mastectomy.
As per the date of the journal, the authors have made sure to use recent data in their qualitative studies. For instance, the data retrieved from the Department of Breast Medical Oncology which provides the risk factors of development of breast cancer does not exceed the recommended five years. In addition, the authors have also ascertained to use quantitative studies carried out on the issue of breast cancer. For instance, the study carried out on the preference of treatment options amongst women was included in the author’s work. However, this test is based on a fifteen-year study which assessed the options encompassing breast-conservation techniques as opposed to the more radical choice of mastectomy.
The provision of adequate qualitative and quantitative data by the authors provides a substantial basis for enhanced comprehension with regards to treatment of breast cancer. In this case, the authors have provided comparisons in treatment options and as such one is able to understand the new approaches of diagnostic and treatment options available currently.
Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
Authors have also developed a framework that has poised to explain drug therapy in consideration of the adopted treatment options such as chemotherapy and hormonal therapy with regards to the consequential action at each level.
References
Lenk, R. P. (2009). Breast cancer treatment options. Commack, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers.
Smith, T. L. (2006). Breast cancer: Current and emerging trends in detection and treatment. New York: Rosen Pub. Group.
Wood, A. & Hortobagyi, G. (1998). Treatment of Breast Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 339(14), 974-984. http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/nejm199810013391407
