Breast Cancer Research Methodology

This assignment delves into the research methodology employed to investigate genetic predisposition to breast cancer. It examines various research approaches, including large-scale genotyping studies and single-case analysis, highlighting their role in identifying new susceptibility loci and understanding the complex interplay of genes and environmental factors in breast cancer development.

Research Project

TABLE OF CONTENT
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1................................................................................................................................................1
1.2................................................................................................................................................2
1.3................................................................................................................................................2
1.4................................................................................................................................................3
1.5................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
2.1................................................................................................................................................7
2.2 & 2.3......................................................................................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 & 3.2......................................................................................................................................9
3.3..............................................................................................................................................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
Covered in PPT.........................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

TASK 1
1.1
Introduction
Today's contemporary era have largely impacted upon the common lifestyle of
individuals by fastening their living trends and standards. It has in turn made some atrocious
changes in their flourishing lifestyle where they are continually dealing with certain equivalent
health related issues. Cancer is amongst those affluent diseases that is rapidly spreading in
people with a majority of youngsters in it (Billig and Waterman, 2014). It however consists of
varied forms among which, breast cancer is one of the most common ailment that is promptly
spreading in young to middle aged women. It has thence become a leading consideration of HSC
organisations to address such prevalent disorder that is affecting the middle age individuals with
traumatic sufferings in it. This is basically to identify some preventive measures to
simultaneously obviate its occurrences with a major sigh of relief to the sufferers.
Background of the study
It is mainly in context to outline the measurable context of the current investigation
wherein this study is entirely based upon formulating some preventive means of breast cancer. It
is fundamentally with reference to defend and assist the targeted population of women to take
some precautionary step to stay away from the occurrence of this particular disease (Bojesen and
et. al., 2013). It is hereby based upon a factual clause that has precisely stated that breast cancer
are mostly seen in women. It is along with a circumstantial time period where the women above
40 years of age are mostly associated with its risk. However, it is with the least possibility of
survival with the highest incidence of decease for the sufferers above 50 years of age. The recent
survey has thus focussed upon evaluating some impelling dietary constituents that can delimit
the chance of breast cancer with some accordant objectives to ascertain the same in a step wise
format.
Research aims and objectives
The main aim of this research work is “To analyse the effectiveness of dietary
constituents in reducing the risk of breast cancer”.
Objectives of your research-

 To ascertain the origination and symptoms of breast cancer.
 To discover the factors associated with the disease of breast cancer. To recommend the considerable ways of treating this disease with proper methods of
diagnoses.
Research questions
 What are the symptoms of breast cancer and how has it originated?
 What are factors associated with the disease of breast cancer?
1.2
This section is to rationalise the present investigation where various factors have
contributed towards the procedure of current research project selection. This have included
several aspects that have been enumerated in the below specified matter: Interest of researcher: The selection of the research topic is done in accordance with the
interest of the investigator (Brinkmann, 2014). It is significant that selection of topic is
done as per the researcher's interest so that it can be carried out with greater effectiveness.
 Scope of the study: Along with this, another factor is relating to the scope of the study.
The present study has wider scope for which it has been selected. In addition to which, it
has been determined that not much of studies have been carried out in relation to it
(Mackey and Gass, 2015). Thus, by selecting the present topic, more investigation can be
done in relation to the phenomenon under the elected subject matter.
1.3
This section is to critique the distinguished perspectives of some leading researchers in
order to underlay the defined aims and objectives of this survey. It is basically in context to
accomplish the two reflected goals of the present research work, as described below-
Origination and symptoms of breast cancer
Breast cancer with its visible symptoms has been known to the mankind from a very
ancient period as stated by DeSantis, Ma, Bryan and Jemal (2014). It is basically in context to its
visible lump that converts into tumour in its later stage. It is unlike other forms of cancer where
it is referred to be an extrinsic pattern of cancer formation whose diagnoses and detection was a
leading matter of concern and embarrassment in the medieval period. It was mainly due to its
major existence in women who were abashed to share such physical disorder with any other
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person. Goldhirsch and et. al. (2013) have hereby mentioned yet another significant proposition
of breast cancer where its disposition was later made in the year 1990.
It was a revolutionary decade when the physicians came up with its preventive measure
as a mean of operating the breast and entirely remove it from the body. Later discoveries with a
changing period of time have certified some more findings about breast cancer where there
existed total two leading type of breast cancer cells. Michailidou and et.al. (2013) have also
specified its three distinct stages of detection where the early stages are associated with some
relevant treatments of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, etc. In context to which, he has also
remarked some other relative symptoms of breast cancer along with its different scattering means
via tissue, lymph system and blood.
Factors associated with the disease of breast cancer
As per the conferred views of Mandal (2016), the actual causes of breast cancer are yet
not postulated to have any specific reasons. In regard to which, one can hereby link it with its
configured symptoms where it is hard to identify the early signs of breast cancer. Lump is the
most identifiable sign of such kind of cancer that later turns into tumour and in turns changes the
size of the breast. Kuchenbaecker and et. al. (2015) with a contrasting perspective have hereby
exemplified some other measurable symptoms where discharge of fluid like blood is referred to
be yet another indication of the same. Beside this, breast cancer is associated with some leading
factors of risks like age, personal and family history, mensuration and reproductive history along
with some past occurrences of radiation treatment, etc. Economopoulou, Dimitriadis and Psyrri
(2015) have hereby highlighted yet another ground of any hormonal imbalance to be a relative
cause of breast cancer. In addition to which, regular consumption of alcohol with improper diet
that leads to obesity can also result in causing breast cancer in women. It is therefore important
for the above 40 women to take protective steps to deflect any such awful occurrence of breast
cancer.
1.4
This section is to discourse upon the elected methodologies of the present research work
in order to carry a systematic study with an eventual accomplishment of its designed aims and
objectives (Panneerselvam, 2014). It is hereby bifurcated into varied structural forms to guide the
surveyor to elect from the accessible measures.
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Research design- This is the foremost tool that depicts the active nature and type of the research
work. In relation to which, there exists total three different forms of research design that are
referred as descriptive, exploratory and explanatory frameworks with distinct significance of
each (Tracy, 2012). Investigator in the current survey has thus opted for a descriptive design for
making an in-depth analysis of the elected subject matter that indicates a general content of
breast cancer as a common disease in humans.
Research approach- There exists total two realistic approaches for conducting a study wherein
context to the recent investigation, inductive and deductive are the two definite formulations for
carrying out the research work (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). In context to which, the
researcher have hereby opted for a particular approach of conducting an inductive study that will
initiate with a specific conceptualisation of breast cancer by moving to its generalised afflictions.
Data collection- Primary and secondary methods of data collection are the two main alternatives
of gathering applicable data from reliable sources. Though, there exists some measurable
differences among both these tactics where the primary method of data collection usually defines
a direct approach of compiling information from set respondents (Smith, 2015). In contrast to
which, the secondary method of data collection is done by referring to authentic sources of books
and journals. Moreover, there exists yet another modernised mean of secondary data collection
by referring to the advanced mean of online publications that interprets a genuine nature.
Sampling- The current investigation has opted for a defined sampling of total 4 health care
practitioners of UK with purposeful sampling method (Stephens and et.al., 2012). It is essentially
in context to answer the framed set of queries where these 4 health care practitioners are
represented as the set responders for the recent survey. Furthermore, they are also predicted to be
the cancer specialists of UK.
Data analysis- There exists total two elementary methods for analysing the data either via
quantitative or qualitative methods (Silverman, 2016). The surveyor in the present study have
hereby opted for a qualitative tact of data analysis with distinct formation of themes.
Research limitations- It is mainly with reference to address some leading issues that are being
faced by the investigator at the time of carrying out the research work. Time and money are the
two deterrent means that mostly distracts the surveyor while conducting the study (Flick, 2015).
A limited availability of time for attaining the framed aims and objectives is a foremost
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challenge with another challenging consent of accomplishing the study within the constricted
pecuniary terms.
Ethical issues- In addition to the above concentrated limitations of the study, including reliable
sources is referred to be yet another leading issue for the surveyor in both context of both
primary and secondary data collection (Gast and Ledford, 2014).
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1.5
Key Activities
Week
1
Week
2 & 3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8 & 9
Week 10 Week 11
Preparation of
Introduction
Literature Review
Collection of
Secondary
Information
Examination of
the Collected Data
Research Design
Research
Methodology
Acquiring Primary
Data
Analysing Primary
and Secondary
Data
Conclusion and
Recommendations
Completion of
Leftover Work
Revision and Draft
Final Submission
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TASK 2
2.1
Demographic information
Name:
Age:
 From how long are you practising in the field of cancer?
◦ 5 years
◦ 7 years
◦ 10 years
◦ More than 10 years
 As per your experience, who are the leading victims of breast cancer?
◦ Male
◦ Women
 What are the major symptoms of breast cancer?
◦ Lump
◦ Change in size of breast
◦ Discharge of fluids like blood
◦ Inverted nipple with scaly skin
◦ Please specify, if any other___________
 According to you, what are the major factors of breast cancer?
◦ Age
◦ Personal and family history
◦ Consumption of alcohol and obesity
◦ Hormonal imbalance
◦ Please specify, if any other___________
 What are the diagnostic means of breast cancer used by you?
◦ Ultrasound
◦ Computer aided detection
◦ Mammography
◦ Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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◦ Please specify, if any other___________
 Any remarkable suggestions you would like to share with us for eliminating the
occurrence of breast cancer
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
2.2 & 2.3
The above assembled data from the set responders have been classified into the below
illustrated tables-
From how long are you practising in the
field of cancer?
Number of respondents
5 years 0
7 years 1
10 years 2
More than 10 years 1
As per your experience, who are the leading
victims of breast cancer?
Number of respondents
Male 1
Female 3
What are the major symptoms of breast
cancer?
Number of respondents
Lump 2
Change in size of breast 1
Discharge of fluids like blood 1
Inverted nipple with scaly skin 0
According to you, what are the major Number of respondents
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factors of breast cancer?
Age 1
Personal and family history 0
Consumption of alcohol and obesity 2
Hormonal imbalance 1
What are the diagnostic means of breast
cancer used by you?
Number of respondents
Ultrasound 1
Computer aided detection (CAD) 0
Mammography 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 2
TASK 3
3.1 & 3.2
This section is to present the amassed findings of the research in context to the above
framed set of questionnaire that has assisted the investigator to obtain the targeted goals of the
study with different formation of themes.
Theme 1: More number of responders are practising in this field from a longer time period.
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Interpretation: The above illustrated table has delineated vast experience of the referred medical
professionals who are practising in this particular field of cancer. In context to which, almost all
respondents have a prior experience of more than 5 years, with a single practitioner working
since 7 years, 2 are practising since 10 years and 1 has a substantial experience of more than 10
years.
Theme 2: Majority of responders have favoured that females are the foremost victims of breast
cancer.
10
5 years 7 years 10 years More than 10 years
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
From how long are you practising in the field of cancer?
Series1

Interpretation: The above depicted table has clearly illustrated that 3 out of 4 practitioners have
clearly stated that most of the breast cancer patients are females as compared to the males. It is
with an evidential fact where 90% of females endures breast cancer with only 10% chances of
males. As a result to which, in the above referred instance, a single practitioner has approved of
males.
Theme 3: Most of the responders have agreed that that lump formation is an envisioned
symptom of breast cancer.
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Male Female
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
As per your experience, who are the leading victims of breast
cancer?
Series1

Interpretation: It is basically in context to find out the leading symptoms of breast cancer and in
respect to which, 2 out of 4 medical professionals have addressed a major symptom of lump
formation that helps in detecting the existence of breast cancer. It is where the 2 other
respondents have also stated some other detectable symptoms like discharge of fluid and inverted
nipple, etc.
Theme 4: Alcoholic consumption and obesity are referred to be the two most influential
factors of breast cancer by majority of the responders.
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Lump
Change in size of breast
Discharge of fluids like blood
Inverted nipple with scaly skin
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
What are the major symptoms of breast cancer?
Series1

Interpretation: It is to address the associated factors of risk that can result in causing breast
cancer where 2 out of 4 have well reasoned the dietary constituents to be a major cause of this
disease. This is basically in association of alcohol consumption and obesity with other 2
respondent in support of two other alternatives. These are hormonal imbalance and age where
women within the age range of 40-50 are more likely to suffer with breast cancer.
Theme 5: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the mostly utilized by the responders to detect
breast cancer.
13
Age
Personal and family history
Consumption of alcohol and obesity
Hormonal imbalance
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
According to you, what are the major factors of breast cancer?
Series1

Interpretation: This is to ascertain some diagnostics means of breast cancer that are largely used
by the referred medical professionals who are also postulated as specialists in this specific arena.
In context to which, it has been found that 2 out of 4 respondents tends to use the diagnostic
mean of MRI as a way of assuring the disease with another 2 respondents who are in favour of
using ultrasound and mammography as a prior base of ensuring the same.
3.3
It is basically in order to conclude the above conducted survey with a prior aim of the
researcher to study the effectualness of dietary constituents in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
It was mainly with reference to some leading objectives for identifying the origination and
symptoms of breast cancer by together addressing its major associated factors of risk. Both these
objectives was ultimately achieved by the investigator with a significant referral to its aim where
erroneous dietary constituents are hereby considered to be a foremost resultant of breast cancer.
It is mainly in context of regular alcohol consumption along with another relative element of
obesity after the age range of 40 when the women suffers more from it. It is therefore important
for the women between the age range of 40-50 to maintain their diet with healthy consumption of
food and beverages. It is where they should completely avoid consuming such damaging
components and rather adopt a healthy lifestyle.
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What are the diagnostic means of breast cancer used by you?
Ultrasound
Computer aided detection
Mammography
Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI)

TASK 4
Covered in PPT
15

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Billig, S.H. and Waterman, A.S. eds., 2014. Studying service-learning: Innovations in education
research methodology. Routledge.
Bojesen, S.E. and et. al., 2013. Multiple independent variants at the TERT locus are associated
with telomere length and risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Nature genetics. 45(4).
pp.371-384.
Brinkmann, S., 2014. Interview (pp. 1008-1010). Springer New York.
DeSantis, C., Ma, J., Bryan, L. and Jemal, A., 2014. Breast cancer statistics, 2013. CA: a cancer
journal for clinicians. 64(1). pp.52-62.
Economopoulou, P., Dimitriadis, G. and Psyrri, A., 2015. Beyond BRCA: new hereditary breast
cancer susceptibility genes. Cancer treatment reviews. 41(1). pp.1-8.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Gast, D.L. and Ledford, J.R., 2014. Single case research methodology: Applications in special
education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Goldhirsch, A. and et. al., 2013. Personalizing the treatment of women with early breast cancer:
highlights of the St Gallen International Expert Consensus on the Primary Therapy of
Early Breast Cancer 2013. Annals of oncology. 24(9). pp.2206-2223.
Kuchenbaecker, K.B. and et. al., 2015. Identification of six new susceptibility loci for invasive
epithelial ovarian cancer. Nature genetics. 47(2). pp.164-171.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Michailidou, K. and et.al., 2013. Large-scale genotyping identifies 41 new loci associated with
breast cancer risk. Nature genetics. 45(4). pp.353-361.
Panneerselvam, R., 2014. Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Smith, J.A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Stephens, P.J. and et.al., 2012. The landscape of cancer genes and mutational processes in breast
cancer. Nature. 486(7403). pp.400-404.
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