BCHM307 Biochemistry Project: Critical Analysis of Breast Cancer News

This student-submitted project critically analyzes a media article regarding breast cancer treatment, specifically focusing on claims about chemotherapy and gene testing. The analysis identifies misconceptions within the article, particularly concerning the age-related incidence of breast cancer and the effectiveness of drugs versus chemotherapy. It emphasizes the importance of considering the toxic effects of drugs used in treatment and advocates for a balanced approach to cancer care, irrespective of age. The project highlights the need for accurate scientific reporting in media and the application of biochemistry knowledge to evaluate health-related claims. Desklib provides a platform for students to access similar solved assignments and past papers for enhanced learning.

Financial Analysis
2017

1
By student name
Professor
University
Date: July 11, 2018.
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Contents
Analysis……………………………………………………………………….....................................................3
References.....…………………………………………………………….....................................................14
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Media news related to breast Cancer
As per a media news it was stated that many young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at an
early age do not actually need the chemotherapy that they are provided with and this has been stated
post a gene test that was conducted on several of such women, that only a mere drug would be enough
to break the growth of new hormones and thus can reduce the occurrence of new tumors, recurrence of
diseases and death from the same. The news also state that younger women have lower chances of
getting infected with the disease than their older counterpart (Plummer). This is an important point of
concern because in the recent years, there have been several cases of such diseases and breast cancer is
one of the most common disease that have been affecting the lives of so many women.
Chemotherapy is a type of process in which anti-cancer drugs are injected into the body and can be used
for several purposes which will include reduction of symptoms, prolonging life etc. Also, chemotherapy
is inclusive of several toxic drugs that are injected into the body to kill the disease-causing virus and has
many side effects on the body of the human beings (Stacey). So, in case there is an option of getting the
treatment done without taking in such harsh drugs than that would be the best possible option.
Chemotherapy can lead to heart and lung disease and can make the patient more vulnerable to
infections, lead to joint paints and many other such health issues can crop up. So, as per the media news
it would be great if there is no chemotherapy given for treatment.
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It is an important point of concern for the society because every year many people are losing their life
and there have been several upgradations by the scientists in fighting this disease and thus this is also a
new upgradation where they are ruling out the use of chemotherapy and fight it off only through drugs,
which would be the first of its kind (Wellmer).
The misconception and flaw in the above given article is with the concept of breast cancer occurring in
only older women and younger women having lower chances of getting infected with the disease and
even though they get infected it can be treated by only drugs without the use of chemotherapy. Drugs
can only close the already active virus but they cannot curb the development of new viruses, also the
toxic drugs that causes negative impact on the body is anyway getting injected into the body and causing
the harmful effects that it causes during chemotherapy. The process is not toxic but the drugs that are
put in the body are, so that ends up affecting the body largely, so the aim should be not off to not give
chemotherapy but to also reduce the intake of toxic drugs. And people of any age can get this disease
irrespective of anything. So, the care should be taken at each age and also it should be that intake of
drugs should be reduced (Grady).
The link for the media release article can be found here :
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/03/health/breast-cancer-chemo.html
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Bibliography
Grady, D. “Good News for Women With Breast Cancer: Many Don’t Need Chemo.” 3 June 2018. The
New York Times. 12 July 2018 <https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/03/health/breast-cancer-
chemo.html>.
Plummer, J. “Fear of Recurrence Grows Over Time in People Who Are Younger at Diagnosis.” Living
Beyond Breast Cancer (2018).
Stacey, T. Myth and Solidarity in the Modern World: Beyond Religious and Political Division. USA:
Routledge, 2018.
Wellmer, A. The Persistence of Modernity: Aesthetics, Ethics and Postmodernism. fourth. UK: Polity
Press, 2018.
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