Lifestyle theory free essay sample

Introduction The chance of a women being raped, in most cases, has a high correlation with their lifestyle they choose to live. The lifestyle exposure theory can help explain the probability of a rape occurring. Where a women lives, the time of day she choose to travel, the type of transportation she uses, her economic statues, if she has any family obligation, and what type of societal and cultural constraints that are imposed on her all effect the type of lifestyle she lives. In turn affects how and what type of potential offenders she will come into contact with. Victimization Type There is a word in our vocabulary that can elicit an emotional and defensive stand in almost all people in our society- the word is rape. By just reading the word most people feel some type of negative reaction whether it is: disgust, embarrassment, fear, repulsion, concern for the victim, hatred for the offender, or all of these or more. We will write a custom essay sample on Lifestyle theory or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page How is the word rape definite? In January of this year the DOJ changed the definition of rape- â€Å"The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.†, that is used in the UCR (UCR Part I Offenses), which was categorized as â€Å"forcible rape† and had remand unchanged since 1929 and excluded victims of anal/oral sex, rape with an object, male rape and statutory rape (Shields). To a wider, more inclusive definition with the title of â€Å"rape† to show that all forms of rape could be considered under this definition-â€Å"The penetration, no matter how slight of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, without the consent of the victim.† (Attorney General). With the change in the definition that law enforcement used to define rape there was a shift from the type of violence and aggression that just included women and ignored males and a number of other aspects to situations where it wasn’t a gender specific crime and the penalties for rape were on similar punishment scale. The crime of rape is still a very women dominated on the victim side and males being the offenders. There are three different categories of rape: stranger rape, acquaintance rape, and marital rape. Stranger rape is thought to be the most common but in all actuality acquaintance rape is the most prevalent followed by marital raped-which for the longest time wasn’t considered rape-than stranger rape is the least prevalent. For the purpose of this paper I am going to focus more on the category of stranger rape  (Roberson and Wallace). Rape is considered to be a stranger rape when the offender is unknown to the woman. Any type of rape is detestable and the repercussions of the crime are similar despite whether it was someone the woman knew or not. It is thought that the victims of stranger rape recover from the emotional, mental, and physical affects more quickly than those victims of martial and acquaintance rape, because victims of stranger rape usually don’t have to go through the feelings of betrayal and loss of trust from a person they knew (Definition of Stranger Rape). Theory Lifestyle-exposure theory more commonly known as Lifestyle theory was developed in 1978 by Michael Hindelang, Michael Gottfredson, and James Garofalo when they published a book titled: Victims of Personal Crime: An Emprical Foundation for a Theory of Personal Victimization. Through the research for this book it was found that in a person’s victimization they can play a more suitable target for an offender. With the development of this theory it opened new doors in the world of victimology by suggesting that choices a victim makes in their every life and dealings with others can either increase their chances at being victimized or it can decrease their chances (Hindelang, Gottfredson, Garofalo). These scholars helped shift the focus more fully on the victim and less on the offender by stating that victims could be held in some part responsible for their victimization just by the lifestyle characteristics they posses. Through earlier theorists and the typologies they used it help refine victimization research in that it was noted that being victimized wasn’t a completely random, out of the blue, type of event it was previously thought to be; but a big down fall, so to speak, was that these older theories tended to viewed as blaming the victim for them being victimized and not placing adequate blame on the offender. With the emergence of the lifestyle theory it pushed the past the bad karma of victim blaming and gave a better understanding of what type of relationships and or associations the victim had to the offender and vise versa in view of what their lifestyles were and the location of where the victimization took place (McGrath). So a big question is how would one define a lifestyle? Hindelang, Gottfredson, and Garofalo defined a lifestyle, for the purpose of this theory, as â€Å"†¦as daily activities and leisure activities in which individuals participate on a routine basis†. It  also includes the choices a person makes on their own freewill and those â€Å"imposed on by constraints†, such as societal structures and or cultural expectations. The main point of the lifestyle theory that Hindelang, Gottfredson, and Garofalo were making is that the more lifestyles a person places themselves in or are involved in they are also placing themselves in a closer range for potential offenders, which in turn makes them a more suitable target to be victimized (Hindelang, Gottfredson, Garofalo). To expand on some of these lifestyle constraints the first that comes to mind is the societal expectation that are made of a person’s behavior. The different roles a person has in society shapes what kind of lifestyle is expected of them to live in many ways. With the majority of crime and criminal behaviors happening on a street level and usually after dark it’s expected that the people that stayed home at night, like new parents, are at a far less likelihood to be victimized than say someone that works all day and decides to unwind by going out late at night to party it up at a bar. That kind of person is less likely to be victimized if they don’t fall into the category of being young-under the age of 25, single, and male but women who fall into this category are more likely to a victim of a sexual crime. It’s thought the younger single people are somewhat less likely to have employment or part time employment so they are freer to go different places they choose at all times of the day or night, whereas, an older single person usually has more responsibilities such as full time employment and other bills to worry about but are still more likely to be victimized than new parents because they don’t have the big responsibility on kids (Robinson). Secondly, other lifestyle constraints that can influence a person’s chosen lifestyle is their economic status, their education level, and if they any family obligations. These types of constraints on a person’s lifestyle can influence what that person can do with their money, the type or quality of job they can qualify for, and what situation family obligations can put them in. a person that has a low SES is far more likely to live in the inner city, ghetto neighborhoods, where crime rates are higher and so forth, whereas, a person with a higher SES can afford to live farther out of the city, gated communities, and could possibly afford a security system for their property. In conjunction with a person’s economic status their education level plays a similar role in that the higher their  education level it’s thought the better the job they will have, which in turn can influence where they live. With family obligations the constraint aspect can go either way, such as, if a person is needed to pick up another job this will keep that person out of the house for longer periods of time and in closer proximity to potential offenders. Whereas, a person is needed at the house to be a caretaker to someone is off the streets and further out of the equation of crime (Robinson). Another aspect of a person’s economic situation is their subcultural and structural constraints. These can fit into how well a person handle things around them getting worse that aren’t in their full control-like a failing economy and they lose their job. Each individual person deals with that type of stressor in different ways-one could seek physical workout as a stress reliever and works on looking for a new job in positive, acceptable ways; another could slip into depression and start to self medicate with drugs and alcohol to push the feelings of pain and failure away and without a job they have no way of supporting their habit so they turn to criminal behaviors to support the new habit; where another could just fall into a deep depression and never want to get out of bed so their responsibilities fall to another person. In either situation the person chooses, mainly, where the put themselves on scale of being victimized (Theoretical Perspective). Since lifestyle theory is purposed towards being crime specific a person’s location can play a major role in their victimization risk being either high or low-meaning that a person’s risk level will vary depending on the type of crime. For instance, a student decides to study at the library instead of at their apartment- it’s fairly safe to say that a person would feel the library is a safe place to be when one is looking at criminal activity such as murder but when it comes to looking at the criminal activity of personal thefts it’s not such a safe place. An unattended backpack, laptop, and/or textbooks become very attractive items to steal very quickly (McGrath). A final aspect of lifestyle theory, which is mentioned by Garofalo, is time. Depending on what time it is during the day or night a person’s lifestyle choices or constraints can influence what type, if any, crime they could be exposed to. For instance, if a person doesn’t have their own vehicle that usually leaves them with limited options-one being public transportation, such as the bus. Taking the bus during the day is statistically less dangerous, fewer crime  opportunities, than it would after six in the evening. This is because the atmosphere changes, so to speak. During the day there are more people going to and from work and running errands, whereas, in the evenings more people are off work and alcohol and drugs can become factored in which is favorable to increase a person’s likelihood of victimization (Garofarlo, 1987). Applied When evaluating stranger rape and how to best predict the occurrence of this crime the victimology theory that would help best describe it, is Lifestyle Theory. In breaking down the events that lead up to a rape, particularly stranger rape, there is something appealing about the victim at ignites an offender to act, the victim’s lifestyle. Lifestyle theory goes into very specific details on how a victim’s chosen lifestyle makes them more or less attractive to an offender. Those resembling: where they live, inner city or rural; what societal roles are expected of them; the persons age and relationship status; their economic situations, poor middle class or wealthy; their education level which can be influenced by their economic status; if they have family obligation, if any; structural constraints, loss of a job; the places they choose to visit; the time of day they travel; and the type of transportation they use, bus vs. having their own vehicle. There are many myths about rape, such as, that women want to be raped, they like it rough and hard, how a woman dresses is saying they are asking for sex. None of these myths have any footing in this theory analysis or any other that is concerned with victimology. When a young, single women routinely travels late at night and is known to live alone specially when she is farther in the city- her lifestyle by choice or constraint makes her far more appealing target for the crime of rape, whereas, a young, single woman that travels before six in the evening, has her own vehicle and lives with a bunch of other people is not an appealing target. It’s similar with a young, single woman that likes to go out and party it up at the bar with drugs and alcohol- her target suitability is far greater than that of a woman that like to party but does it at friend’s house where there isn’t any drugs and limited alcohol. In reality every choice a woman makes in her everyday life will influence what, if any, type of potential offender she will attract to her- especially in cases of rape. Conclusion Lifestyle theory helped open new ways of understanding criminal victimization specially in being more crime specific which in a help in the crime of rape. It moved past the daunting section in victimology history of victim blaming and into the understanding that victimization isn’t a completely random act but one that could reasonably predict potential indicators of what could lead up to a person being victimized particularly in the crime of rape. Every decision people make in their lives, such as, time they travel, how they travel, where they live, their education level, family obligation, societal expectation, and cultural constrains- will bring them closer to potential offenders or put them farther away.

Free Essays on South Sister

SOUTH SISTER Redmond Oregon is where my brother lives. The town is located near the Oregon’s cascade range where there are several large snow covered volcanoes. I well be focusing on the south sister, which is the youngest and highest of a trio of closely grouped volcanoes called the three sisters. The south sister could be a threat to my brother because he lives only a few miles away, and according to sources the volcano may be coming to life. South sister is a composite volcano 10,358 feet high, it cone is comprised of adesite, dacite and rhyodacite, and is relatively young compared to its neighboring volcanoes. The latest eruptions on south sister occurred in two closely spaced episodes about 200 years ago. The eruption was a modest eruption producing small pyroclastic flows and tephra. But preceding that, similar style eruptions up to ten times larger occurred during and just before the last ice age 30,000-15,000 years ago. These larger eruptions produced pyroclastic flows that covered over a very large area from sisters to bend(see map) and tephra fallout deposits as thick as 42 feet. Such an eruption would be catastrophic today due to the mass population located near the base of the volcano. The wilderness around the volcano is becoming increasingly populated. Some 110,000 people live in areas that were criss-crossed by rivers of hot ash and rubble in previous Sister eruptions. According to (Ann Carns, 2002) the south sister volcano is beginning to show signs of activity after several thousand years of slumber. About a year ago scientist at the (USGS) detected a bulge in the earths crust near the base of the south sister. Using radar data they found that the ground of the south sister swelled about 4 in since 1996. This swelling has continued at a rate of about 1 in per year. In addition to the swelling small amounts of gas (chloride and sulfate) from molten rock are showing up in some spring waters around the bulge... Free Essays on South Sister Free Essays on South Sister SOUTH SISTER Redmond Oregon is where my brother lives. The town is located near the Oregon’s cascade range where there are several large snow covered volcanoes. I well be focusing on the south sister, which is the youngest and highest of a trio of closely grouped volcanoes called the three sisters. The south sister could be a threat to my brother because he lives only a few miles away, and according to sources the volcano may be coming to life. South sister is a composite volcano 10,358 feet high, it cone is comprised of adesite, dacite and rhyodacite, and is relatively young compared to its neighboring volcanoes. The latest eruptions on south sister occurred in two closely spaced episodes about 200 years ago. The eruption was a modest eruption producing small pyroclastic flows and tephra. But preceding that, similar style eruptions up to ten times larger occurred during and just before the last ice age 30,000-15,000 years ago. These larger eruptions produced pyroclastic flows that covered over a very large area from sisters to bend(see map) and tephra fallout deposits as thick as 42 feet. Such an eruption would be catastrophic today due to the mass population located near the base of the volcano. The wilderness around the volcano is becoming increasingly populated. Some 110,000 people live in areas that were criss-crossed by rivers of hot ash and rubble in previous Sister eruptions. According to (Ann Carns, 2002) the south sister volcano is beginning to show signs of activity after several thousand years of slumber. About a year ago scientist at the (USGS) detected a bulge in the earths crust near the base of the south sister. Using radar data they found that the ground of the south sister swelled about 4 in since 1996. This swelling has continued at a rate of about 1 in per year. In addition to the swelling small amounts of gas (chloride and sulfate) from molten rock are showing up in some spring waters around the bulge...

Breast Cancer

Some methods used to diagnose breast carcinoma are mammograms, MRI’s, and biopsies (NCI, 2010). A staging system is standardized way for the cancer care team to summarize information about how far a cancer has spread (ACS, 2012). The most common system used to describe the stages of breast cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system (ACS, 2012). Each stage has different prognoses with varying survival rates as well (Marissa, 2011). There are also many ways to prevent breast cancer including maintain a healthy weight, avoiding the alcohol consumption, and by getting an annual mammogram (Reynolds, 2010). A genetic mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer is found in up to 60 percent of U. S. women, making it the first truly common breast cancer susceptibility gene (Metcalf Metcalf, 2008). Other breast diseases besides breast cancer are breast fat necrosis and fibrocystic breast disease (Sacks, 2011; Silverman, 1994). These diseases do not necessarily lead to breast cancer and can be treated (Sacks, 2011; Silverman, 1994). Keywords: – breast cancer, ducts, lobules, tumor, invasive (infiltrating carcinoma), noninvasive (noninfiltrating carcinoma), Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), intraductal carcinoma, nonfunctioning breast tissue, estrogen, lymph nodes, mammogram, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), core biopsy, somatic mutations, fine needle aspiration biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, FGFR2, BRCA1,  BRCA2,  CDH1,  PTEN,  STK11, AR,  ATM,  BARD1,  BRIP1, CHEK2, DIRAS3,  ERBB2,  NBN,  PALB2,  RAD50, metastasis, fat necrosis, fibrocystic breast disease Breast Cancer Cells are the building blocks of living things and cancer grows out of normal cells in the body (Dugdale, 2010). Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body (Dugdale, 2010). Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer doesn’t allow normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream (Peter, 2011). Normal cells in the body follow an orderly process of growth, division, and death, this is called apoptosis, and when this process breaks down, cancer begins to form (Peter, 2011). Cancer has been around since prehistoric times, and breast cancer is one of the earliest forms to have been mentioned (Eisenpreis, 1999). In the United States, breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer (breastcancer. org, 2012). Today, about 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer in her lifetime (Martin, 2012). Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast (Yi-Bin David, 2011). In rare cases, breast cancer can start in other areas of the breast (Yi-Bin David, 2011). Breast cancer can be invasive or noninvasive (Yi-Bin David, 2011). Invasive meaning it has spread from the milk duct (lobule) to the other tissues in the breast (Eisenpreis, 1999). Noninvasive means that it has not yet invaded other breast tissue (Yi-Bin David, 2011). Types of Breast Cancer Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast – the ducts, the lobules, or sometimes, the tissue in between (breastcancer. org, 2012). There are several different types of breast cancer, including breast cancer in men (breastcancer. org, 2012). Some include Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, and Male Breast Cancer (breastcancer. rg, 2012). Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or intraductal carcinoma, is a noninvasive breast cancer in the lining of the milk ducts that has not yet invaded nearby tissues of the breast (Yi-Bin David, 2011). It may progress to invasive cancer if it is left untreated (Yi-Bin David, 2011). DCIS is the earliest form of breast cancer and is usually found during a mammogram done as part of breast cancer screening (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). Because of the increased use of mammograms, the rate at which DCIS is diagnosed has increased dramatically in recent years (Mayo Clinic Staff, 011). When a woman has DCIS, she is at higher risk for the cancer coming back or also at higher risk for developing a new breast cancer than a person who has never had breast cancer before (breastcancer. org, 2012). Experts believe that 20 to 50% of women with DCIS will later develop an invasive breast cancer within 10 years of the DCIS diagnosis (Hoffman, 2010). The risk of lymph node involvement with ductal carcinoma in situ is only 1% to 2% so the lymph nodes under the arm do not need to be removed, as may be  the case with other types of breast cancer (Hoffman, 2010). In seven out of 10 cases, breast-conserving lumpectomies – instead of mastectomies – were an effective treatment option (Hoffman, 2010). This will depend upon the size of your tumor and the extent of its spread throughout your breast and the surrounding lymph nodes (Hoffman, 2010). While DCIS isn’t life-threatening, it does require treatment to prevent the condition from becoming invasive (Mayo Clinic Staff 2011). Most recurrences happen within 5 to 10 years after the first diagnosis and the chances of that happening are under 30 percent (breastcancer. rg, 2012). Invasive Lobular Carcinoma is an invasive type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). When a person has ILC, this means that the cancer cells have broken out of lobule where they started and they now have the potential to spread to other areas or tissues of the body (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). This type of cancer is more difficult to se e on imaging because of the way it grows with spreading branches (Hopkins, 2012). The treatments for invasive lobular carcinoma fall into two broad categories: Local and Systemic Treatment. Local treatments treat the tumor and the areas surrounding it, such as the chest and lymph nodes (breastcancer. org, 2012). Systemic treatments travel throughout the body to destroy any type of cancer cells that may have left the original tumor and traveled to other tissues to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back (breastcancer. org, 2012). ILC cells can proceed to infiltrate fatty tissue and create a web-like mass (Stephan, 2008). This web of cancer cells may feel like a thickened area of breast tissue, and may not cause concern or pain at first (Stephan, 2008). Unfortunately, if it is left undetected, ILC can develop into a mass that is about ? inch ( 2 centimeters) to about 2 inches (5 centimeters) or bigger in size, before causing more noticeable symptoms (Stephan, 2008). Breast cancer in men is a very rare disease (Attebery, Adams ; Weiss, 2011). But the truth is that boys and girls, men and women all have breast tissue (Attebery, Adams ; Weiss, 2011). Men have a small amount of nonfunctioning breasts tissue (breast tissue that cannot produce milk) that is concentrated in the area directly behind the nipple on the wall of the chest (Attebery, Adams ; Weiss, 2011). A type of breast cancer that has spread outside of the duct and into the surrounding tissue is called invasive or infiltrating carcinoma (ASC, 2012). Some symptoms that may occur in males developing breast cancer include lumps, changes to the nipple or breast skin, or discharge of fluid from the nipple (National Cancer Institute, 2011). Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer have an increased risk of developing breast cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2012). The major problem is that breast cancer in men is more often than not diagnosed later than breast cancer in women because men are less likely to be suspicious of an abnormality in that area (Wax, 2012). Also, their small amount of breast tissue is harder to feel, making it more difficult to catch these cancers early, and allowing tumors to spread more quickly to the surrounding tissues (Wax, 2012). Breast cancer in men is detected the same way as breast cancer is detected in women – through self-examination, clinical examination, or mammography (x-ray of the breast) (ASC, 2012). Methods for Diagnosis Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women with early breast cancer have no symptoms (American Cancer Society, 2011). This is why getting the recommended screening tests before any symptoms develop is so important (American Cancer Society, 2011). Three types of methods used for diagnosis are mammograms, MRI’s, and biopsies (NCI, 2010). A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray picture of the breast and can be used to check for breast cancer in women who don’t have any signs or symptoms of the disease. (NCI, 2010) The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly into a computer for a doctor called a radiologist to examine (Webmd, 2010). There are different types of mammograms including Screening mammograms and Diagnositc mammograms (Webmd, 2010). Mammograms detect tiny bits of calcium that develop in dead cancer cells (Hoffman, 2010). As more and more cancer cells age and die, theses calcifications grow nd on the mammogram, they appear as a shadowy area (Hoffman, 2010). Current guidelines from the American College Radiology, the American Cancer Society, and the Society for Breast Imaging recommend that women receive annual mammograms starting at age 40, even if they have no symptoms or family history of breast cancer (ACR, 2010). For every 1,000 women who have screening mammogram: 100 are recalled to get more mammogr aphy or ultrasound images, 20 are recommended for needle biopsy and 5 are diagnosed with breast cancer (ACR, 2010). A mammography unit is a rectangular box that houses the tube in which x-rays are produced (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). Once it is carefully aimed at the part of the body being examined, an x-ray machine produces a small burst of radiation that passes through the body, recording an image on photographic film or a special digital image recording plate (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). A brief medical history and a history of specific problems related to the breast, such as pain or a palpable lump (one that is felt), is obtained prior to the mammogram (Stoppler, 2011). All jewelry and clothing in the chest and breast area are removed prior to the mammogram (Stoppler, 2011). The patient’s breasts are then placed on a firm flat panel and a gentle, but firm pressure is applied to the breast with another panel, resulting in compression of the breast between the two panels (Stoppler, 2011). The compression of the breast is necessary to obtain quality mammograms and spreads the breast tissue out so that the x-ray image displays the inner breast tissue with good resolution (Stoppler, 2011). Dense bone absorbs much of the radiation while soft tissue, such as muscle, fat and organs, allow more of the x-rays to pass through them (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). As a result, bones appear white on the x-ray, soft tissue shows up in shades of gray and air appears black (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). The results of the mammogram can be given to the patient either by the radiologist at the completion of the mammogram or by the patient’s doctor who ordered the mammogram (Stoppler, 2011). An abnormal mammogram does not mean you have cancer (Stoppler, 2011). In some cases, it may just be an area of thicker or denser breast tissue, a cyst, or a benign lump such as a fibro adenoma (Stoppler, 2011). Unlike mammography which uses low dose x-rays to produce an image of the breast, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of the breast (Imaginis, 2012). The MRI system has the ability to switch magnetic fields and radio waves to achieve views in any plane and from any orientation while x-ray mammography requires re-orientation of the breast and mammography system for each view desired (Imaginis, 2012). MRI is a huge magnet and the woman gets put in the middle of the magnet; the magnetic field is turned on and then turned off again (Eisenpreis, 1999). The way the magnetized cells return to normal gives an image (Eisenpreis, 1999). The MRI finds lumps better than it tells whether or not they are cancerous (Eisenpreis, 1999). However, MRI can be good at showing how big a cancer is, once it has been found on the mammogram (Eisenpreis, 1999). A breast biopsy removes a sample of breast tissue that is looked at under a microscope to check for breast cancer and is usually done to check a lump found during a breast examination or a suspicious area found on a mammogram, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Marshall, 2009). During a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, the doctor inserts a thin needle into a lump and removes a sample of cells or fluid (Marshall, 2009). Nowadays, doctors might have decided to do something called stereotactic biopsy, where a patient lies on a table, with her breasts hanging down (Eisenpreis, 1999). A mammogram is taken to show where the lump is and a device holding a needle quickly shoots in and removes a few cells from the lesion (Eisenpreis, 1999). There is also something called a core biopsy that uses a larger needle to take out a piece of tissue, instead of just cells (Eisenpreis, 1999). A doctor numbs your skin with a shot of numbing medicine where the biopsy needle will be inserted and once the area is numb, a small cut is made in the skin from where the needle with a special tip is inserted into breast tissue (Marshall, 2009). Three to twelve samples will be taken to acquire the most accurate results (Marshall, 2009). Classifications and Associated Prognoses The stages of breast cancer are usually expressed as a number on a scale of 0 through IV – with stage 0 describing non-invasive cancers that remain within their original location and stage IV describing invasive cancers that have spread outside the breast to other parts of the body (Marisa, 2011). Cancer stage is based on four characteristics; the size of the cancer, hether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether the cancer is in the lymph nodes, whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast (Marisa, 2011). Sometimes doctors use the term â€Å"locally advanced† or regionally advanced† to refer to large tumors that involve the breast skin, underlying chest structures, changes to the breast’s shape, and lymph node enlargement that is visible or that the doctor can feel during an exam (Marisa , 2011). The three ways that cancer spreads in the body are: Through tissue where cancer invades surrounding normal tissue, through the lymph system where the cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph vessels to other places in the body, and through the blood, where cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other places in the body (NCI, 2009). When cancer cells break away from the primary (original) tumor and travel through the lymph nodes or blood to other places in the body, another (secondary) tumor may form (NCI, 2009). This process is called metastasis (NCI, 2009). The stage of the breast cancer can help the patient and the doctor understand the prognosis (the most likely outcome of the disease) and make decisions about treatment, along with all the other results in the pathology report (Marisa, 2011). A staging system is standardized way for the cancer care team to summarize information about how far a cancer has spread (ACS, 2012). The most common system used to describe the stages of breast cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system (ACS, 2012). The TNM staging system classifies cancers based on their T, N, and M stages (ACS, 2012). The letter â€Å"T† followed by a number 0 to 4 describes the tumor’s size and spread to the skin or to the chest wall under the breast (ACS, 2012). The letter â€Å"N† followed by a number from 0 to 3 indicates whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the breast and, if so, how many lymph nodes are affected. The letter â€Å"M† followed by a 0 or 1 indicates whether the cancer has spread to distant organ (ACS, 2012). There are typically five stages (0 to 4) with sub-stages that indicate the prognosis for breast cancer (Lippman, 2005). Stage 0 where the carcinoma is insitu and no lymph nodes are affected had 99 percent 5 year survival rate (ACS, 2012). Stage IA also has a high rate, 92 percent, in which the tumor is equal to 2 centimeters (ACS, 2012). In stage IB, the tumor is 2 centimeters with micro metastases in 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes but the cancer has not spread to distant sites (ACR, 2012). In stage IIA, the cancer cells have moved to the ipsilateral nodes and the 5 year survival rate lowers to 82 percent (Lippman, 2012). In stage IIB, the cancer cells have spread to movable ipsilateral nodes and the tumor is over 5 centimeters (Lippman, 2012). The 5 year survival rate lowers to 65 percent (ACS, 2012). In stage IIIA, there is no evidence of a primary tumor and no distant spreading (ACS, 2012). The 5 year survival rate lowers to 47 percent (Lippman, 2005). The tumor could be between 2 and 5 centimeters but there is still no distant spreading at this point (ACS, 2012). In stage IIIB the tumor has extended to the chest wall but there is still no distant metastases (Lippman, 2005). The 5 year survival rate lowers again to a 44 percent (Lippman, 2005). In stage IV the cancer can be any size (any T) and may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N) (ACS, 2012). It has spread to distant organs or to lymph nodes far from the breast (M1) (ACS, 2012). The most common sites of spread are the bone, liver, brain, or lung (ACS, 2012). The survival rate lowers to 14 percent (Lippman, 2005). Prevention Methods Three ways to prevent breast cancer are by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol consumption, and getting an annual mammogram (Reynolds, 2010). Mammogram screening, early diagnosis and better treatments have all contributed to the reduction in breast cancer cases by around 2 percent a year and the improved survival rate in the U. S. (Reynolds, 2010). Experts say now the focus needs to shift on improving personal lifestyle habits to prevent the disease even more (Reynolds, 2010). Early detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly before it has spread (NCI, 2010). A medical team found an 11 percent lower risk of breast cancer in those women consuming the more healthful diet, including more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and less fatty, processed foods (Reynolds, 2010). They also found that those consuming large amounts of alcohol had a 21 percent increased risk (Reynolds, 2010). Drinking alcohol during adolescence has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, especially for girls with a family history of the disease (Reynolds, 2010). Exercise also plays a role in the reduction of breast cancer risk (Reynolds, 2010). In one study from the Women’s Health Initiative, as little as 1. 25 to 2. 5 hours per week of brisk walking reduced a woman’s risk by 18 percent (Reynolds, 2010). Walking 10 hours a week reduce the risk more (Reynolds, 2010). Diet and exercise can lead to weight reduction, another positive lifestyle change that can influence breast cancer disease risk (Reynolds, 2010). Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue (Reynolds, 2010). Experts suspect that more fat tissue equals more estrogen resulting in more cases of breast cancer that could possibly be avoided (Reynolds, 2010). Genetic ; Hereditary Influence According to researchers, the mutations in the gene, which is called FGFR2, raise the risk of breast cancer by 20 to 60 percent. (Metcalf ; Metcalf, 2008). A genetic mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer is found in up to 60 percent of U. S. omen, making it the first truly common breast cancer susceptibility gene (Metcalf ; Metcalf, 2008). Women with faulty copies of the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 have 50 percent to 85 percent chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetimes, but they are rare genes and only account for 5 percent to possibly 10 percent of breast cancer cases (Metcalf ; Metcalf, 2008). Only 7% of all breast cancers are hereditary (Hirshaut ; Pressman, 2008). Of these hereditary cancers, 45% is caused by BRCA1 while 35% is caused by BRCA2 (Hirshaut ; Pressman, 2008). (Hirshaut ; Pressman, 2008). Variations of the  BRCA1,  BRCA2,  CDH1,  PTEN,  STK11, and  TP53  genes increase the risk of developing breast cancer (Chen, 2007). The  AR,  ATM,  BARD1,  BRIP1, CHEK2, DIRAS3,  ERBB2,  NBN,  PALB2,  RAD50, and  RAD51  genes are associated with breast cancer (Chen, 2007). Cancers occur when a buildup of genetic mutations in critical genes – those that control cell growth and division or the repair of damaged DNA – allow cells to grow and divide uncontrollably to form a tumor (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). These changes, which are called somatic mutations, are not inherited (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). Less commonly, gene mutations inherited from a parent increase the risk of developing cancer (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). In people with these inherited genetic changes, additional somatic mutations in other genes must occur for cancer to develop (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). Additional factors that may influence a person’s risk of developing breast cancer include gender, age, ethnic background, a history of previous breast cancer, certain changes in breast tissue, and hormonal factors (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). A history of breast cancer in closely related family members is also an important risk factor, particularly if the cancer occurred at an early age (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). Women who have inherited certain mutations in these genes have a high risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and several other types of cancer during their lifetimes (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). Inherited changes in several other genes, including CDH1, PTEN, STK11, and TP53, have been found to increase the risk of developing breast cancer (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). In hereditary breast cancer, the way that cancer risk is inherited depends on the gene involved (Walsh ; King, 2007). For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominant patter, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase a person’s chance of developing cancer (Walsh ; King, 2007). In other cases, the inheritance of breast cancer risk is unclear (Walsh ; King, 2007). It is important to emphasize that people inherit an increased risk of cancer, not the disease itself (Walsh ; King, 2007). Not all people who inherit mutations in these genes will develop cancer (Walsh ; King, 2007). Other Breast Diseases Two other diseases found in the breast other than breast carcinoma are breast fat necrosis and fibrocystic breast disease (Sacks, 2011; Silverman, 1994). Fybrocystic breast disease is a commonly used phrase to describe painful, lumpy breasts (Sacks 2011). Hormones made in the ovaries can make a woman’s breasts feel swollen, lumpy, or painful before during menstruation each month (Sacks 2011). Fibrocysitc changes in the breast with the menstrual cycle affect over half of women (Sacks, 2011). Symptoms are usually worse right before the menstrual period, and then improve after the period starts (Sacks, 2011). Symptoms can include pain in both breasts, breasts that feel swollen and heavy, pain or discomfort under the arms, and thick or lumpy breasts (Sacks, 2011). This disease can be treated with medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Sacks, 2011). Breast Fat necrosis is a benign condition that can occur in your breast (Silverman. 1994). It consists of fatty tissue that has been bruised, injured, or has died (Silverman, 1994). Once fatty tissue has been injured or has died, it can gradually change into scar tissue or may collect as liquid within an oil cyst (Silverman, 1994). Fat necrosis does not lead to the development of breast cancer, but it may sometimes cause breast pain (Silverman, 1994). An area of fat necrosis in your breast may feel like a fairly hard lump, or like a section of thick skin (Silverman, 1994). The person may see some drainage from the nipple that is nearest to the bruised region (Silverman, 1994). The nipple may sometimes even pull inward a little bit or the breast skin may dimple above the lump of fat necrosis (Silverman, 1994). Each case of fat necrosis is unique, so treatments will vary but if the fat necrosis has occurred recently, using warm compresses may help it subside (Silverman, 1994). When fat necrosis causes pain, the person can use ibuprofen and aspirin, but if that doesn’t help, ask your doctor if a prescription medication may be used (Silverman, 1994). About 39,520 women in the U. S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50 (â€Å"Learn about cancer,† 2011). These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness (â€Å"breastcancer. org,† 2012). References Peter, C. (2011, October 20). Medical news today. Retrieved from http://www. medicalnewstoday. com/info/cancer-oncology/ breastcancer. org. (n. d. ). (2012, March 14). Retrieved from http://www. breastcancer. org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics. jsp Yi-Bin , C. , ; David , Z. (2011, 15 12). A. d. a. m. medical encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/ Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011, June 23). Ductal carcinoma in situ (dcis). Retrieved from http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/dcis/DS00983 Avon Foundation Breast Cancer (n. d. ). In http://www. hopkinsmedicine. org/avon_foundation_breast_center/breast_cancers_other_conditions/invasive_lobular_carcinoma. html. Stephan, P. (2008, July 24). Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Retrieved from about. com website: http://breastcancer. about. com/od/types/p/ilc. html Dugdale, D. (2010, August 14). Pubmed. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002267/ Martin, L. (2012, January 18). Breast cancer facts. WebMD. Retrieved from http://women. webmd. om/guide/breast-cancer-arm-yourself-with-facts National Cancer Insitute. (2012). National cancer institute. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malebreast/Patient/page1 Attebery, L. , Adams, J. H. , ; Weiss, M. (2011, november 22). Male breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. breastcancer. org/symptoms/types/male_bc/ National Cancer Institute. ( 2011). Male breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/malebreastcancer. html Wax, A. (2011). Breast cancer in men: Symptoms, causes, treatments. Retrieved from http://www. webmd. com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-cancer-men American Cancer Society. (2011, September 29). American cancer society. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-diagnosis NCI. (2010, September 22). National cancer institute. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms Marshall, S. (2010, November 12). Webmd. Retrieved from http://women. webmd. com/mammogram-16573 Hoffman, M. (2010 February 18). Ductal carcinoma (invasive and in situ. Retrieved from http://www. webmd. com/breast-cancer/ductal-carcinoma-invasive-in-situ ACR. (2012). Mammography facts. Retrieved from http://www. ammographysaveslives. org/facts. aspx Hirshaut, Y. , ; Pressman, P. I. (2008). Breast cancer: The complete guide. (5th ed. ). New York, NY: Bantam Dell. Radiological Society of North America. (2011, June 24). Radiologyinfo. org. Retrieved from http://www. radiologyinfo. org/en/info. cfm? pg=mammo ASCO. (2011, January 26). Breast Cancer- Male Retrieved from http://www. cancer. net/patient/Cancer Types/Breast Cancer – Male/? skid= Stoppler, M. C. (2011). Medicinenet. Retrieved from http://www. medicinenet. com/mammogram/article. html Imaginis. (2012). Breast cancer mri – magnetic resonance imaging. Retrieved from http://www. maginis. com/mri-scan/magnetic-resonance-breast-imaging-mri-mr-3 Eisenpreis, B. (1999). A young woman’s guide to breast cancer prevention. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Marshall, S. (2009, April 29). Breast biopsy. Retrieved from http://women. webmd. com/breast-biopsy Metcalf, T. , Metcalf, G. (2008). Perspective on diseases and disorders. (1 ed. ). Michigan: Thomson Gale. Chen, S. ( 2007, April 10). Meta-analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 penetrance. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer Honrado, E. , Osorio, A. , Palacios, J. , Benitez, J. (2006, September 25). Pathology and gene expression of hereditary breast tumors associated with brca1, brca2 and chek2 gene mutations. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer/show/References Thompson, D. , Easton, D. (2004, July 9). The genetic epidemiology of breast cancer genes. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer Walsh, T. , King, M. (2007, February 11). Ten genes for inherited breast cancer. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer Marisa , W. (2011, August 03). Stages of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. breastcancer. org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging. jsp NCI. 2009). Breast cancer treatment (pdq). Retrieved from http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/Patient/page2 Lippman, M. E. (2005). Cancer monthly. Retrieved from http://www. cancermonthly. com/cancer_basics/breast. asp American Cancer Society. (2012, March 06). Breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedG uide/breast-cancer-staging Reynolds, D. (2010, March 26). Emaxhealth. Retrieved from http://www. emaxhealth. com/1506/98/36185/one-third-breast-cancer-cases-avoided-diet-and-exercise. html NCI. (2010, September 22). National cancer institute. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. ov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms Sacks, D. N. (2011, November 16). Fibrocystic breast disease. Retrieved from http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000912. htm Silverman, P. (1994, July). Breast fat necrosis – symptoms, causes and treatments. Retrieved from http://breastcancer. about. com/od/whenitsnotcancer/tp/Breast-Fat-Necrosis. htm American Cancer Society. U. S. Breast cancer statistics. (2011, September 29). Retrieved from http://www. cancer. org/Cancer/BreastCancer/index Hail, J. (2011, 09). National breast cancer foundation, inc.. Retrieved from http://www. nationalbreastcancer. org/About-Breast-Cancer/ Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Some methods used to diagnose breast carcinoma are mammograms, MRI’s, and biopsies (NCI, 2010). A staging system is standardized way for the cancer care team to summarize information about how far a cancer has spread (ACS, 2012). The most common system used to describe the stages of breast cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system (ACS, 2012). Each stage has different prognoses with varying survival rates as well (Marissa, 2011). There are also many ways to prevent breast cancer including maintain a healthy weight, avoiding the alcohol consumption, and by getting an annual mammogram (Reynolds, 2010). A genetic mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer is found in up to 60 percent of U. S. women, making it the first truly common breast cancer susceptibility gene (Metcalf Metcalf, 2008). Other breast diseases besides breast cancer are breast fat necrosis and fibrocystic breast disease (Sacks, 2011; Silverman, 1994). These diseases do not necessarily lead to breast cancer and can be treated (Sacks, 2011; Silverman, 1994). Keywords: – breast cancer, ducts, lobules, tumor, invasive (infiltrating carcinoma), noninvasive (noninfiltrating carcinoma), Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC), intraductal carcinoma, nonfunctioning breast tissue, estrogen, lymph nodes, mammogram, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), core biopsy, somatic mutations, fine needle aspiration biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, FGFR2, BRCA1,  BRCA2,  CDH1,  PTEN,  STK11, AR,  ATM,  BARD1,  BRIP1, CHEK2, DIRAS3,  ERBB2,  NBN,  PALB2,  RAD50, metastasis, fat necrosis, fibrocystic breast disease Breast Cancer Cells are the building blocks of living things and cancer grows out of normal cells in the body (Dugdale, 2010). Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body (Dugdale, 2010). Cancer harms the body when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except in the case of leukemia where cancer doesn’t allow normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream (Peter, 2011). Normal cells in the body follow an orderly process of growth, division, and death, this is called apoptosis, and when this process breaks down, cancer begins to form (Peter, 2011). Cancer has been around since prehistoric times, and breast cancer is one of the earliest forms to have been mentioned (Eisenpreis, 1999). In the United States, breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer (breastcancer. org, 2012). Today, about 1 in 8 women (12%) will develop breast cancer in her lifetime (Martin, 2012). Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast (Yi-Bin David, 2011). In rare cases, breast cancer can start in other areas of the breast (Yi-Bin David, 2011). Breast cancer can be invasive or noninvasive (Yi-Bin David, 2011). Invasive meaning it has spread from the milk duct (lobule) to the other tissues in the breast (Eisenpreis, 1999). Noninvasive means that it has not yet invaded other breast tissue (Yi-Bin David, 2011). Types of Breast Cancer Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast – the ducts, the lobules, or sometimes, the tissue in between (breastcancer. org, 2012). There are several different types of breast cancer, including breast cancer in men (breastcancer. org, 2012). Some include Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, and Male Breast Cancer (breastcancer. rg, 2012). Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or intraductal carcinoma, is a noninvasive breast cancer in the lining of the milk ducts that has not yet invaded nearby tissues of the breast (Yi-Bin David, 2011). It may progress to invasive cancer if it is left untreated (Yi-Bin David, 2011). DCIS is the earliest form of breast cancer and is usually found during a mammogram done as part of breast cancer screening (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). Because of the increased use of mammograms, the rate at which DCIS is diagnosed has increased dramatically in recent years (Mayo Clinic Staff, 011). When a woman has DCIS, she is at higher risk for the cancer coming back or also at higher risk for developing a new breast cancer than a person who has never had breast cancer before (breastcancer. org, 2012). Experts believe that 20 to 50% of women with DCIS will later develop an invasive breast cancer within 10 years of the DCIS diagnosis (Hoffman, 2010). The risk of lymph node involvement with ductal carcinoma in situ is only 1% to 2% so the lymph nodes under the arm do not need to be removed, as may be  the case with other types of breast cancer (Hoffman, 2010). In seven out of 10 cases, breast-conserving lumpectomies – instead of mastectomies – were an effective treatment option (Hoffman, 2010). This will depend upon the size of your tumor and the extent of its spread throughout your breast and the surrounding lymph nodes (Hoffman, 2010). While DCIS isn’t life-threatening, it does require treatment to prevent the condition from becoming invasive (Mayo Clinic Staff 2011). Most recurrences happen within 5 to 10 years after the first diagnosis and the chances of that happening are under 30 percent (breastcancer. rg, 2012). Invasive Lobular Carcinoma is an invasive type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). When a person has ILC, this means that the cancer cells have broken out of lobule where they started and they now have the potential to spread to other areas or tissues of the body (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). This type of cancer is more difficult to se e on imaging because of the way it grows with spreading branches (Hopkins, 2012). The treatments for invasive lobular carcinoma fall into two broad categories: Local and Systemic Treatment. Local treatments treat the tumor and the areas surrounding it, such as the chest and lymph nodes (breastcancer. org, 2012). Systemic treatments travel throughout the body to destroy any type of cancer cells that may have left the original tumor and traveled to other tissues to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back (breastcancer. org, 2012). ILC cells can proceed to infiltrate fatty tissue and create a web-like mass (Stephan, 2008). This web of cancer cells may feel like a thickened area of breast tissue, and may not cause concern or pain at first (Stephan, 2008). Unfortunately, if it is left undetected, ILC can develop into a mass that is about ? inch ( 2 centimeters) to about 2 inches (5 centimeters) or bigger in size, before causing more noticeable symptoms (Stephan, 2008). Breast cancer in men is a very rare disease (Attebery, Adams ; Weiss, 2011). But the truth is that boys and girls, men and women all have breast tissue (Attebery, Adams ; Weiss, 2011). Men have a small amount of nonfunctioning breasts tissue (breast tissue that cannot produce milk) that is concentrated in the area directly behind the nipple on the wall of the chest (Attebery, Adams ; Weiss, 2011). A type of breast cancer that has spread outside of the duct and into the surrounding tissue is called invasive or infiltrating carcinoma (ASC, 2012). Some symptoms that may occur in males developing breast cancer include lumps, changes to the nipple or breast skin, or discharge of fluid from the nipple (National Cancer Institute, 2011). Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer have an increased risk of developing breast cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2012). The major problem is that breast cancer in men is more often than not diagnosed later than breast cancer in women because men are less likely to be suspicious of an abnormality in that area (Wax, 2012). Also, their small amount of breast tissue is harder to feel, making it more difficult to catch these cancers early, and allowing tumors to spread more quickly to the surrounding tissues (Wax, 2012). Breast cancer in men is detected the same way as breast cancer is detected in women – through self-examination, clinical examination, or mammography (x-ray of the breast) (ASC, 2012). Methods for Diagnosis Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women with early breast cancer have no symptoms (American Cancer Society, 2011). This is why getting the recommended screening tests before any symptoms develop is so important (American Cancer Society, 2011). Three types of methods used for diagnosis are mammograms, MRI’s, and biopsies (NCI, 2010). A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray picture of the breast and can be used to check for breast cancer in women who don’t have any signs or symptoms of the disease. (NCI, 2010) The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly into a computer for a doctor called a radiologist to examine (Webmd, 2010). There are different types of mammograms including Screening mammograms and Diagnositc mammograms (Webmd, 2010). Mammograms detect tiny bits of calcium that develop in dead cancer cells (Hoffman, 2010). As more and more cancer cells age and die, theses calcifications grow nd on the mammogram, they appear as a shadowy area (Hoffman, 2010). Current guidelines from the American College Radiology, the American Cancer Society, and the Society for Breast Imaging recommend that women receive annual mammograms starting at age 40, even if they have no symptoms or family history of breast cancer (ACR, 2010). For every 1,000 women who have screening mammogram: 100 are recalled to get more mammogr aphy or ultrasound images, 20 are recommended for needle biopsy and 5 are diagnosed with breast cancer (ACR, 2010). A mammography unit is a rectangular box that houses the tube in which x-rays are produced (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). Once it is carefully aimed at the part of the body being examined, an x-ray machine produces a small burst of radiation that passes through the body, recording an image on photographic film or a special digital image recording plate (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). A brief medical history and a history of specific problems related to the breast, such as pain or a palpable lump (one that is felt), is obtained prior to the mammogram (Stoppler, 2011). All jewelry and clothing in the chest and breast area are removed prior to the mammogram (Stoppler, 2011). The patient’s breasts are then placed on a firm flat panel and a gentle, but firm pressure is applied to the breast with another panel, resulting in compression of the breast between the two panels (Stoppler, 2011). The compression of the breast is necessary to obtain quality mammograms and spreads the breast tissue out so that the x-ray image displays the inner breast tissue with good resolution (Stoppler, 2011). Dense bone absorbs much of the radiation while soft tissue, such as muscle, fat and organs, allow more of the x-rays to pass through them (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). As a result, bones appear white on the x-ray, soft tissue shows up in shades of gray and air appears black (Radiological Society of North America, 2011). The results of the mammogram can be given to the patient either by the radiologist at the completion of the mammogram or by the patient’s doctor who ordered the mammogram (Stoppler, 2011). An abnormal mammogram does not mean you have cancer (Stoppler, 2011). In some cases, it may just be an area of thicker or denser breast tissue, a cyst, or a benign lump such as a fibro adenoma (Stoppler, 2011). Unlike mammography which uses low dose x-rays to produce an image of the breast, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of the breast (Imaginis, 2012). The MRI system has the ability to switch magnetic fields and radio waves to achieve views in any plane and from any orientation while x-ray mammography requires re-orientation of the breast and mammography system for each view desired (Imaginis, 2012). MRI is a huge magnet and the woman gets put in the middle of the magnet; the magnetic field is turned on and then turned off again (Eisenpreis, 1999). The way the magnetized cells return to normal gives an image (Eisenpreis, 1999). The MRI finds lumps better than it tells whether or not they are cancerous (Eisenpreis, 1999). However, MRI can be good at showing how big a cancer is, once it has been found on the mammogram (Eisenpreis, 1999). A breast biopsy removes a sample of breast tissue that is looked at under a microscope to check for breast cancer and is usually done to check a lump found during a breast examination or a suspicious area found on a mammogram, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Marshall, 2009). During a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, the doctor inserts a thin needle into a lump and removes a sample of cells or fluid (Marshall, 2009). Nowadays, doctors might have decided to do something called stereotactic biopsy, where a patient lies on a table, with her breasts hanging down (Eisenpreis, 1999). A mammogram is taken to show where the lump is and a device holding a needle quickly shoots in and removes a few cells from the lesion (Eisenpreis, 1999). There is also something called a core biopsy that uses a larger needle to take out a piece of tissue, instead of just cells (Eisenpreis, 1999). A doctor numbs your skin with a shot of numbing medicine where the biopsy needle will be inserted and once the area is numb, a small cut is made in the skin from where the needle with a special tip is inserted into breast tissue (Marshall, 2009). Three to twelve samples will be taken to acquire the most accurate results (Marshall, 2009). Classifications and Associated Prognoses The stages of breast cancer are usually expressed as a number on a scale of 0 through IV – with stage 0 describing non-invasive cancers that remain within their original location and stage IV describing invasive cancers that have spread outside the breast to other parts of the body (Marisa, 2011). Cancer stage is based on four characteristics; the size of the cancer, hether the cancer is invasive or non-invasive, whether the cancer is in the lymph nodes, whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast (Marisa, 2011). Sometimes doctors use the term â€Å"locally advanced† or regionally advanced† to refer to large tumors that involve the breast skin, underlying chest structures, changes to the breast’s shape, and lymph node enlargement that is visible or that the doctor can feel during an exam (Marisa , 2011). The three ways that cancer spreads in the body are: Through tissue where cancer invades surrounding normal tissue, through the lymph system where the cancer invades the lymph system and travels through the lymph vessels to other places in the body, and through the blood, where cancer invades the veins and capillaries and travels through the blood to other places in the body (NCI, 2009). When cancer cells break away from the primary (original) tumor and travel through the lymph nodes or blood to other places in the body, another (secondary) tumor may form (NCI, 2009). This process is called metastasis (NCI, 2009). The stage of the breast cancer can help the patient and the doctor understand the prognosis (the most likely outcome of the disease) and make decisions about treatment, along with all the other results in the pathology report (Marisa, 2011). A staging system is standardized way for the cancer care team to summarize information about how far a cancer has spread (ACS, 2012). The most common system used to describe the stages of breast cancer is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM system (ACS, 2012). The TNM staging system classifies cancers based on their T, N, and M stages (ACS, 2012). The letter â€Å"T† followed by a number 0 to 4 describes the tumor’s size and spread to the skin or to the chest wall under the breast (ACS, 2012). The letter â€Å"N† followed by a number from 0 to 3 indicates whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the breast and, if so, how many lymph nodes are affected. The letter â€Å"M† followed by a 0 or 1 indicates whether the cancer has spread to distant organ (ACS, 2012). There are typically five stages (0 to 4) with sub-stages that indicate the prognosis for breast cancer (Lippman, 2005). Stage 0 where the carcinoma is insitu and no lymph nodes are affected had 99 percent 5 year survival rate (ACS, 2012). Stage IA also has a high rate, 92 percent, in which the tumor is equal to 2 centimeters (ACS, 2012). In stage IB, the tumor is 2 centimeters with micro metastases in 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes but the cancer has not spread to distant sites (ACR, 2012). In stage IIA, the cancer cells have moved to the ipsilateral nodes and the 5 year survival rate lowers to 82 percent (Lippman, 2012). In stage IIB, the cancer cells have spread to movable ipsilateral nodes and the tumor is over 5 centimeters (Lippman, 2012). The 5 year survival rate lowers to 65 percent (ACS, 2012). In stage IIIA, there is no evidence of a primary tumor and no distant spreading (ACS, 2012). The 5 year survival rate lowers to 47 percent (Lippman, 2005). The tumor could be between 2 and 5 centimeters but there is still no distant spreading at this point (ACS, 2012). In stage IIIB the tumor has extended to the chest wall but there is still no distant metastases (Lippman, 2005). The 5 year survival rate lowers again to a 44 percent (Lippman, 2005). In stage IV the cancer can be any size (any T) and may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes (any N) (ACS, 2012). It has spread to distant organs or to lymph nodes far from the breast (M1) (ACS, 2012). The most common sites of spread are the bone, liver, brain, or lung (ACS, 2012). The survival rate lowers to 14 percent (Lippman, 2005). Prevention Methods Three ways to prevent breast cancer are by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol consumption, and getting an annual mammogram (Reynolds, 2010). Mammogram screening, early diagnosis and better treatments have all contributed to the reduction in breast cancer cases by around 2 percent a year and the improved survival rate in the U. S. (Reynolds, 2010). Experts say now the focus needs to shift on improving personal lifestyle habits to prevent the disease even more (Reynolds, 2010). Early detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly before it has spread (NCI, 2010). A medical team found an 11 percent lower risk of breast cancer in those women consuming the more healthful diet, including more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and less fatty, processed foods (Reynolds, 2010). They also found that those consuming large amounts of alcohol had a 21 percent increased risk (Reynolds, 2010). Drinking alcohol during adolescence has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, especially for girls with a family history of the disease (Reynolds, 2010). Exercise also plays a role in the reduction of breast cancer risk (Reynolds, 2010). In one study from the Women’s Health Initiative, as little as 1. 25 to 2. 5 hours per week of brisk walking reduced a woman’s risk by 18 percent (Reynolds, 2010). Walking 10 hours a week reduce the risk more (Reynolds, 2010). Diet and exercise can lead to weight reduction, another positive lifestyle change that can influence breast cancer disease risk (Reynolds, 2010). Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue (Reynolds, 2010). Experts suspect that more fat tissue equals more estrogen resulting in more cases of breast cancer that could possibly be avoided (Reynolds, 2010). Genetic ; Hereditary Influence According to researchers, the mutations in the gene, which is called FGFR2, raise the risk of breast cancer by 20 to 60 percent. (Metcalf ; Metcalf, 2008). A genetic mutation that raises the risk of breast cancer is found in up to 60 percent of U. S. omen, making it the first truly common breast cancer susceptibility gene (Metcalf ; Metcalf, 2008). Women with faulty copies of the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 have 50 percent to 85 percent chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetimes, but they are rare genes and only account for 5 percent to possibly 10 percent of breast cancer cases (Metcalf ; Metcalf, 2008). Only 7% of all breast cancers are hereditary (Hirshaut ; Pressman, 2008). Of these hereditary cancers, 45% is caused by BRCA1 while 35% is caused by BRCA2 (Hirshaut ; Pressman, 2008). (Hirshaut ; Pressman, 2008). Variations of the  BRCA1,  BRCA2,  CDH1,  PTEN,  STK11, and  TP53  genes increase the risk of developing breast cancer (Chen, 2007). The  AR,  ATM,  BARD1,  BRIP1, CHEK2, DIRAS3,  ERBB2,  NBN,  PALB2,  RAD50, and  RAD51  genes are associated with breast cancer (Chen, 2007). Cancers occur when a buildup of genetic mutations in critical genes – those that control cell growth and division or the repair of damaged DNA – allow cells to grow and divide uncontrollably to form a tumor (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). These changes, which are called somatic mutations, are not inherited (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). Less commonly, gene mutations inherited from a parent increase the risk of developing cancer (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). In people with these inherited genetic changes, additional somatic mutations in other genes must occur for cancer to develop (Honrado, Osorio, Palacios ; Benitez, 2006). Additional factors that may influence a person’s risk of developing breast cancer include gender, age, ethnic background, a history of previous breast cancer, certain changes in breast tissue, and hormonal factors (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). A history of breast cancer in closely related family members is also an important risk factor, particularly if the cancer occurred at an early age (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). Women who have inherited certain mutations in these genes have a high risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and several other types of cancer during their lifetimes (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). Inherited changes in several other genes, including CDH1, PTEN, STK11, and TP53, have been found to increase the risk of developing breast cancer (Thompson ; Easton, 2004). In hereditary breast cancer, the way that cancer risk is inherited depends on the gene involved (Walsh ; King, 2007). For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominant patter, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase a person’s chance of developing cancer (Walsh ; King, 2007). In other cases, the inheritance of breast cancer risk is unclear (Walsh ; King, 2007). It is important to emphasize that people inherit an increased risk of cancer, not the disease itself (Walsh ; King, 2007). Not all people who inherit mutations in these genes will develop cancer (Walsh ; King, 2007). Other Breast Diseases Two other diseases found in the breast other than breast carcinoma are breast fat necrosis and fibrocystic breast disease (Sacks, 2011; Silverman, 1994). Fybrocystic breast disease is a commonly used phrase to describe painful, lumpy breasts (Sacks 2011). Hormones made in the ovaries can make a woman’s breasts feel swollen, lumpy, or painful before during menstruation each month (Sacks 2011). Fibrocysitc changes in the breast with the menstrual cycle affect over half of women (Sacks, 2011). Symptoms are usually worse right before the menstrual period, and then improve after the period starts (Sacks, 2011). Symptoms can include pain in both breasts, breasts that feel swollen and heavy, pain or discomfort under the arms, and thick or lumpy breasts (Sacks, 2011). This disease can be treated with medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Sacks, 2011). Breast Fat necrosis is a benign condition that can occur in your breast (Silverman. 1994). It consists of fatty tissue that has been bruised, injured, or has died (Silverman, 1994). Once fatty tissue has been injured or has died, it can gradually change into scar tissue or may collect as liquid within an oil cyst (Silverman, 1994). Fat necrosis does not lead to the development of breast cancer, but it may sometimes cause breast pain (Silverman, 1994). An area of fat necrosis in your breast may feel like a fairly hard lump, or like a section of thick skin (Silverman, 1994). The person may see some drainage from the nipple that is nearest to the bruised region (Silverman, 1994). The nipple may sometimes even pull inward a little bit or the breast skin may dimple above the lump of fat necrosis (Silverman, 1994). Each case of fat necrosis is unique, so treatments will vary but if the fat necrosis has occurred recently, using warm compresses may help it subside (Silverman, 1994). When fat necrosis causes pain, the person can use ibuprofen and aspirin, but if that doesn’t help, ask your doctor if a prescription medication may be used (Silverman, 1994). About 39,520 women in the U. S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50 (â€Å"Learn about cancer,† 2011). These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness (â€Å"breastcancer. org,† 2012). References Peter, C. (2011, October 20). Medical news today. Retrieved from http://www. medicalnewstoday. com/info/cancer-oncology/ breastcancer. org. (n. d. ). (2012, March 14). Retrieved from http://www. breastcancer. org/symptoms/understand_bc/statistics. jsp Yi-Bin , C. , ; David , Z. (2011, 15 12). A. d. a. m. medical encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001911/ Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011, June 23). Ductal carcinoma in situ (dcis). Retrieved from http://www. mayoclinic. com/health/dcis/DS00983 Avon Foundation Breast Cancer (n. d. ). In http://www. hopkinsmedicine. org/avon_foundation_breast_center/breast_cancers_other_conditions/invasive_lobular_carcinoma. html. Stephan, P. (2008, July 24). Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Retrieved from about. com website: http://breastcancer. about. com/od/types/p/ilc. html Dugdale, D. (2010, August 14). Pubmed. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002267/ Martin, L. (2012, January 18). Breast cancer facts. WebMD. Retrieved from http://women. webmd. om/guide/breast-cancer-arm-yourself-with-facts National Cancer Insitute. (2012). National cancer institute. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/malebreast/Patient/page1 Attebery, L. , Adams, J. H. , ; Weiss, M. (2011, november 22). Male breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. breastcancer. org/symptoms/types/male_bc/ National Cancer Institute. ( 2011). Male breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/malebreastcancer. html Wax, A. (2011). Breast cancer in men: Symptoms, causes, treatments. Retrieved from http://www. webmd. com/breast-cancer/guide/breast-cancer-men American Cancer Society. (2011, September 29). American cancer society. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-diagnosis NCI. (2010, September 22). National cancer institute. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms Marshall, S. (2010, November 12). Webmd. Retrieved from http://women. webmd. com/mammogram-16573 Hoffman, M. (2010 February 18). Ductal carcinoma (invasive and in situ. Retrieved from http://www. webmd. com/breast-cancer/ductal-carcinoma-invasive-in-situ ACR. (2012). Mammography facts. Retrieved from http://www. ammographysaveslives. org/facts. aspx Hirshaut, Y. , ; Pressman, P. I. (2008). Breast cancer: The complete guide. (5th ed. ). New York, NY: Bantam Dell. Radiological Society of North America. (2011, June 24). Radiologyinfo. org. Retrieved from http://www. radiologyinfo. org/en/info. cfm? pg=mammo ASCO. (2011, January 26). Breast Cancer- Male Retrieved from http://www. cancer. net/patient/Cancer Types/Breast Cancer – Male/? skid= Stoppler, M. C. (2011). Medicinenet. Retrieved from http://www. medicinenet. com/mammogram/article. html Imaginis. (2012). Breast cancer mri – magnetic resonance imaging. Retrieved from http://www. maginis. com/mri-scan/magnetic-resonance-breast-imaging-mri-mr-3 Eisenpreis, B. (1999). A young woman’s guide to breast cancer prevention. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group. Marshall, S. (2009, April 29). Breast biopsy. Retrieved from http://women. webmd. com/breast-biopsy Metcalf, T. , Metcalf, G. (2008). Perspective on diseases and disorders. (1 ed. ). Michigan: Thomson Gale. Chen, S. ( 2007, April 10). Meta-analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 penetrance. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer Honrado, E. , Osorio, A. , Palacios, J. , Benitez, J. (2006, September 25). Pathology and gene expression of hereditary breast tumors associated with brca1, brca2 and chek2 gene mutations. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer/show/References Thompson, D. , Easton, D. (2004, July 9). The genetic epidemiology of breast cancer genes. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer Walsh, T. , King, M. (2007, February 11). Ten genes for inherited breast cancer. Retrieved from http://ghr. nlm. nih. gov/condition/breast-cancer Marisa , W. (2011, August 03). Stages of breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. breastcancer. org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging. jsp NCI. 2009). Breast cancer treatment (pdq). Retrieved from http://www. cancer. gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/Patient/page2 Lippman, M. E. (2005). Cancer monthly. Retrieved from http://www. cancermonthly. com/cancer_basics/breast. asp American Cancer Society. (2012, March 06). Breast cancer. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedG uide/breast-cancer-staging Reynolds, D. (2010, March 26). Emaxhealth. Retrieved from http://www. emaxhealth. com/1506/98/36185/one-third-breast-cancer-cases-avoided-diet-and-exercise. html NCI. (2010, September 22). National cancer institute. Retrieved from http://www. cancer. ov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/mammograms Sacks, D. N. (2011, November 16). Fibrocystic breast disease. Retrieved from http://www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000912. htm Silverman, P. (1994, July). Breast fat necrosis – symptoms, causes and treatments. Retrieved from http://breastcancer. about. com/od/whenitsnotcancer/tp/Breast-Fat-Necrosis. htm American Cancer Society. U. S. Breast cancer statistics. (2011, September 29). Retrieved from http://www. cancer. org/Cancer/BreastCancer/index Hail, J. (2011, 09). National breast cancer foundation, inc.. Retrieved from http://www. nationalbreastcancer. org/About-Breast-Cancer/ Breast Cancer Breast Cancer

Applied Microbiology Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Applied Microbiology - Article Example The barrier prevents the antimicrobial from acting on the intended cells. The cells within the biofilms differ from planktonic cells metabolically and biochemically due to their increased expression of beneficial genes, phenotypic changes in the colony morphology and the in the production of extracellular polymers (Khan, p45). Examples include the streptococcus spp. in dental caries, the Fusobacterium in chronic wounds and the PAH are products of incomplete combustion of materials like fossil fuels that are highly hydrophobic in nature and resistant to environmental degradation posing health risks. It is possible to breakdown PAH using the ability of microorganisms and to remediate contaminated soils. Degradation can be either biological or chemical. Biological process involves degradation by microorganisms, biodegradation and metabolism and factors like PH, moisture, temperature, oxygen and molecular weight get considered. Chemical degradation involves altering the PAH nomenclature through chemical processes by the use of UV rays and reactions aimed at oxidation-reduction with factors such as sunlight exposure, PH level, and PAH structure in consideration. BTEX have highly soluble characteristics and are made up of contaminants that make up petroleum products. The solubility of the petroleum components makes it the predominant agent in ground water contamination. Bioremediation relies on biodegradation a ctivity of soil microorganisms that involves the indigenous bacteria and fungi. Microorganisms break down organic components to water and carbon dioxide to help in the remediation. For the process to be successful, it is important to ensure that the contaminated materials get detoxified to prevent recontamination and to establish the effectiveness of the remediation. Several tests including the daphnia-based, algae and bacteria based

The Effect of Hand Washing with Soap among Early Graders Assignment

The Effect of Hand Washing with Soap among Early Graders - Assignment Example The purpose of this qualitative study is to discover the effect of hand washing with soap among early graders by the use of school based campaign. The purpose of the study is to come out with an action based intervention that will reduce the occurrence of hand to mouth infections among children of school going age. This is a major social health concern that demands urgent professional attention. The reason behind this observation is that once children are plagued with some of these infections, they become so vulnerable that their chances of surviving the fatality become minimized. It is against this background that the proposed purpose of the study has been chosen as a means of campaigning in schools and among students on how they can use the basic practice of washing their hands with soap to reduce events of hand to mouth infections. Once research of these nature are completed, the researchers want to have a feeling of how relevant their works have been on existing practice and on general social change. The proposed research, once successfully completed would be no exception of such significance. The relevance of the proposed research to effecting social changes is numerous. In the first place, the intervention is action based and brings a new paradigm towards the approach commonly used in addressing some of these health issues in society. Indeed, the use of a school based campaign is highly social and can come with the added advantage of ensuring the easy involvement of otherwise reserved and shy participants into the research. What is more, by using a school based campaign as an intervention, there is the tendency that the habit of hand washing with soap that will be eventually cultivated among the students will become a permanent part of their social interactive lifestyle. Once this is achieved, it is going t o be possible that hand to mouth infections are going to be permanently prevented among the students. Finally, the research findings are going to form a part of a universal basis to qualitative study on the research study. This means that all future researches who wish to undertake evidence based research can fall on the findings.

motivational and emotional factors help you to understand your own health and fitness Essay Example for Free

motivational and emotional factors help you to understand your own health and fitness Essay What were the motivational and environmental factors that contributed to the weight gain? The motivational factor that I belive Tasha had was prioritizing her children over her own health and the enviromental was that she had two children both at a hard age that needed her all the time witch took all the time, energy and focus. Briefly describe which approaches to motivation you feel best help us to understand the change in Tasha’s behavior. the best motivational aproach that I thought helped me understand it better was intrinsic motivation witch according to our textbook is â€Å"based on the personal satisfaction the person gets from doing the task† (Lefrancois, 2011) I choosed this because she was was being motivated by her mood and the way she feels about herself. In what ways was emotion tied to the weight gain and loss? Being tired and preocupied accounts for her weight gain and being unhappy with her weight and her mood motivated the loss. How might understanding these motivational and emotional factors help you to understand your own health and fitness? When I started reading this, I though I was reading about myself, this story has a lot to do with me. When I had my second child I gain 40 pounds I felt fat and everyone was telling me that I gain weight and I felt more discusted with myself, I hated my body and I was very unhappy with it. So one day I saw a friend of mine on facebook she had posted a picture of how she lost 30 pounds in 2 months and that got to me and I asked her how she did it and she put me in touch with the trainner that helped her. I got myself a personal trainner and started taking this product call YOR HEALTH and that has helped me loose 45 pounds and now I’m proud to say that I have the body I always dreamed of having and they want me as a model for a fitness magazine in witch im still debating because that is not my thing. By understanding these emotinal and motvational factors has helped me realize that what I did and been doing I did it all correctly. Will you change anything in your own life as a result of this scenario? I have to say as of right now I wouldn’t change anything because its something I’m doing now. Reference: R. Lefrancois (2011 ). Psychology: The human puzzle. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPSY101.11.1/sections/sec6.4 * Select one character, past or present, from a television show, movie, book, comic, game, etc. * * Briefly describe this character, including: * * What medium (television, movie, book, etc.) is he or she from? * * Why did you select him or her? * * What is his or her personality as depicted? * * Identify one approach (e.g., common-sense, psychodynamic, humanistic, etc.) that you feel is most accurate and useful in understanding this character’s personality. * Discuss this selected theory. Why did you select it? How might this theory help us understand your character’s personality? I had a similar assigment in another class and I absolutly loved it because I got the chance to talk about my favorite character person and I absolutley love this lady her name is Madea known as Tyler Perry. She has been in manny movies all of of them has a been a great success. My favorite out of all her movies is â€Å"Witness Protection† in this movie she played a role of protecting a family that had to be under witness protection until a case was resolved in court. This family was not one of the best family not a close family but once they got to Madea’s house she made sure she tought them how to live with eachother as a family and tought them the real meaning and  importance of having a family there for you. I selected this character because in her movies she has inspired me and show me and everyone who watches her movie that no matter what family values is very important. One aprache that I choosed for her character is humanistics aproach because she would make sure you understand her world and where shes coming from for her to be able to get on you page. She has to get her point across and has to make sure everyone understands and follows what she says in a easy or a hard way just like out text boo stated â€Å"The self; worth, dignity, individuality† (Lefrancois, 2011) and â€Å"My perception of the world is real. So is yours. We have our separate realities. If we are to understand each other, you must try to understand my world, and I yours† (Lefrancois, 2011) I chosed this personality beucase and that is exactly how Madea is when shes trying to get a point across. She has all o those traits in her pesonality she shows her self her dignity and her individuality. If anybody in class has watch her movies can tell you how her personality is in manny ways I wished I had her same personality. Reference: R. Lefrancois (2011 ). Psychology: The human puzzle. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPSY101.11.1/sections/sec8.2 R. Lefrancois (2011 ). Psychology: The human puzzle. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPSY101.11.1/sections/sec8.7 Spet 14

Gilgamesh Is Gay Essay -- essays research papers

Gilgamesh is an epic that has been passed down for thousands of years. The epic narrates the legendary deeds of the main character Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is two-thirds immortal and one-third mortal; however, he cannot accept his fate that one day he too will die. The entire epic tells the story of Gilgamesh’s life and searche for immortality. Through his many trials and tribulations, Gilgamesh proves that he has great physical strength. However, throughout the epic Gilgamesh also shows he is emotionally unstable and immature. The author created Gilgamesh with this flaw of immaturity so that he would be a more believable character. The depth of Gilgamesh's physical strength first appears to the reader in the prologue. Gilgamesh is said to be "the man to whom all things are known". The gods created him with great care giving him beauty and courage. "The great gods made his beauty perfect, surpassing all others, terrifying like a great wild bull". Furthermore, h is beauty and power were like that of no other man. The story begins by stating that Gilgamesh is an overbearing king. He never sleeps due to his over indulgence in life. Gilgamesh keeps the city in disruption involving anyone he pleases in his corrupt demands. He sleeps with all the virgins before they are married, therefore, making them impure before their husbands have a chance to sleep with them. If Gilgamesh were a mature king, he would see no reason to show he is the most powerful. He would lead ...

Boy at the Window Poetry Analysis Essay

In the poem â€Å"Boy at the Window,† Richard Wilbur uses imagery, tone, and theme to show what his purpose in this poem is. At the end of the poem, the author wants the reader to understand that we should not feel bad or sad about something that we don’t understand. Richard Wilbur’s use of imagery in the poem helps us to understand his purpose of this poem. The stanzas in the poem paint two completely pictures in your head when you read them. The first stanza makes you see the snowman as a blue object that is always lonely. The second stanza paints the picture of the snowman’s view of the little child who is sad about something that he does not understand. In the first stanza, the poem is showing how the little boy sees the snowman â€Å"standing all alone† and â€Å"returns him such a Godforsaken stare†. The little boy sees the snowman as lonely and creates a depressing image of the snowman in your head. In the second stanza, you hear the snowman’s view of the little child in the window and how the little boy does not understand. The snowman is shown as sad in the second stanza, but not because the little boy does not understand that the snowman is happy outside. It is because the little boy should not be sad when he is warm inside his home, surrounded by love, but yet so frightened and moved about the snowman being alone (â€Å"such warmth, such light, such love, and so much fear†). So the author creates a really great sense of imagery throughout the poem because of how you see the snowman at first, then the picture in your head changes when you hear the other side of the story. The author also had a great tone throughout this poem as he shows us his purpose and his theme that people should not be sad or fear something if they do not understand it. The tones of the stanzas vary or differ when you go from to the second stanza. In the first stanza, the tone is sad or deeply upset because of the word choice that the poet uses. When the boy â€Å"weeps†, you get the feeling of sadness and that the boy is not happy. Also, the child’s sight is described as â€Å"tearful† and his reach described as â€Å"hardly†; which are words used to describe saddening events. The snowman is seen as a â€Å"pale-faced† figure and is compared to the â€Å"outcast Adam†. These words are not used to describe a happy or content situation, and they are describing a sad view of a snowman. In the second stanza, the tone is happier, but not completely joyous or happy. The snowman is â€Å"nonetheless, content† so he is not sad being outside or being all alone. The snowman’s eye is seen as â€Å"soft† and his tear is seen as â€Å"a trickle of the purest rain†. When you use the word â€Å"purest† it doesn’t relate to sad or happy events because the word describes a neutral event. The poet creates a great tone throughout the entire poem, which is sad for the first stanza and kind of neutral for the second stanza. Using imagery, tone, and theme throughout the poem â€Å"Boy at the Window†, Richard Wilbur shows that you shouldn’t feel bad or get upset about something that you do not understand. The author’s use of imagery in the poem is what paints a wonderful picture in your head as you read, and that helps you to understand the author’s purpose. Tone plays a big role in the poem also because of the way you get to hear the different sides to the story and how that impacts the author’s purpose and how it’s portrayed. This poem was very well written and did a very good job of using literary elements to portray the author’s purpose and the theme.

Rob Dyrdek

Rob Dyrdek is a guy who has had some tough times but has always had a great outlook on life and a great personality! I look up to this guy and wish to someday be like him! Dyrdek is an inspiring person do to his outlook on charities and how much he truly gives! â€Å"Change within a community comes when vision meets hard work and persistence† (Claudine Heizer. ) When he does something he is very determined to get it done, he won't leave business unfinished! Rob Dyrdek is a very charitable man!He enjoys donating to charities and builds skate parks for kids out there who don't have one in their community! What I love the most is that he will go out and give big black trash bags full of stuff he really just doesn't need that includes: Clothes, Shoes, and other pieces of clothing or accessories that he has laying around! Also he will go up to a random homeless person and offer to take him out for food or give him money and I don't mean the average dollar or two I mean about a hund red dollars, more or less, which is really kind!What the homeless person does with it is their problem but the point is Rob isn't afraid to â€Å"throw his money around† as many people view it as! I see it as him being a very giving person! Dyrdek has a positive, care-free outlook on life which is quite inspiring. Rob has the endurance and potential to accomplish victory no matter what triumphs he has to conquer. Dyrdek can really accomplish great things! When he starts something he'll do it until he is finished! He gives to children; he honestly is a great guy!Rob Dyrdek would get bags of his old clothes and he would pack it up in those big black trash bags and go up to some homeless guy and just give it to them! Also he wanted to learn how to fly one of those electric helicopters and saw that there was family owned business and bought all of the helicopters so he would learn! He helps families in need even if it is for immature projects like that family owned business! To o ffer and accept encouragement are significant responsibilities for Rob. He enjoys encouraging others and he is only human he needs people to encourage him!His personality plays a huge role on his life as well as his outlook! He is a sweet, caring guy who likes to encourage and be encouraged! There are some people out there that actually need that extra â€Å"You look great today! † or that â€Å"I love your shirt! † It makes them feel as if people actually pay attention or really do care! The things some people do may astonish you for a while! Especially what Dyrdek does and how he looks at things! I hope there are more people out there who see the world like he does or would take a glance at what he sees through his eyes!

Mae Jemison, First Black Woman Astronaut - Quotations

Mae Jemison, First Black Woman Astronaut - Quotations Mae Jemison (born October 17, 1956) became the first African American woman astronaut in 1987. Inspired both by Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut, and by Nichelle Nicholss portrayal of Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, Jemison applied in 1983. The program had been suspended following the 1986 Challenger disaster, but Jemison was accepted after it re-opened in 1987. Mission Specialist Mae Jemison flew her sole mission in 1992 aboard the shuttle Endeavour. Born in Alabama but raised in Chicago, Jemison had an interest in science from a very young age. Although the early space program had no female astronauts - or black astronauts, for that matter - Jemison was determined. She started college at Stanford University at the age of 16, got an engineering degree, and followed it with medical school at Cornell Medical College. Jemison was a physician and scientist who also spent time with the Peace Corps before applying to NASA. After leaving NASAs space program to pursue her interest in the intersection of social science and technology, Jemison became a professor: first at Dartmouth, then at Cornell. She continues to use her knowledge to support educational efforts and encourage curiosity and scientific experimentation, especially among young people. Selected Mae Jemison Quotations Dont let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. Its your place in the world; its your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.Never be limited by other peoples limited imaginations...If you adopt their attitudes, then the possibility wont exist because youll have already shut it out ... You can hear other peoples wisdom, but youve got to re-evaluate the world for yourself.Sometimes people have already decided who you are without your story shining through.The best way to make dreams come true is to wake up.There have been lots of other women who had the talent and ability before me. I think this can be seen as an affirmation that were moving ahead. And I hope it means that Im just the first in a long line. More women should demand to be involved. Its our right. This is one area where we can get in on the ground floor and possibly help to direct where space exploration will go in the future.The thing that I have do ne throughout my life is to do the best job that I can and to be me. People may see astronauts and because the majority are white males, they tend to think it has nothing to do with them. But it does.When Im asked about the relevance to Black people of what I do, I take that as an affront. It presupposes that Black people have never been involved in exploring the heavens, but this is not so. Ancient African empires Mali, Songhai, Egypt had scientists, astronomers. The fact is that space and its resources belong to all of us, not to any one group.I want to make sure we use all our talent, not just 25 percent.Pay attention to the world around you and then find the places where you think you’re skilled. Follow your bliss and bliss doesn’t mean it’s easy!It is important for scientists to be aware of what our discoveries mean, socially and politically. Its a noble goal that science should be apolitical, acultural, and asocial, but it cant be, because its done by people who are all those things.I dont know that having been in space g ives me a better idea of whether life might exist on other planets. The reality is that we know that this universe, that our galaxy, has billions of stars. We know that stars have planets. So the likelihood that there is life somewhere else to me is just absolutely there. Science is very important to me, but I also like to stress that you have to be well-rounded. Ones love for science doesnt get rid of all the other areas. I truly feel someone interested in science is interested in understanding whats going on in the world. That means you have to find out about social science, art, and politics.If you think about it, HG Wells wrote First Men in the Moon in 1901. Imagine how incredulous, fantastical that idea was in 1901. We didn’t have rockets, we didn’t have the materials, and we weren’t really flying. It was incredible. Less than 100 years later, we were on the moon.While were orbiting Earth in the shuttle, the sky looks exactly as it looks here on Earth, except that the stars are brighter. So, we see the same planets, and they look the same way as they look here.In some ways I could have been seen as further ahead if I had taken an easier path, but every now and then I stop and think I probably wouldn’t have been happy. Selected Sources Cooper, Desiree.  Stargazer turned astronaut credits the MLK dream.  Detroit Free Press, 20 Jan. 2008.Fortney Jr., Albert. The Fortney Encyclical Black History: The Worlds True Black History. Xlibris, 2016.Gold, Lauren. Former shuttle Endeavour astronaut Mae C. Jemison encourages students to think like scientists. Cornell University, 11 July 2005.Jemison, Mae.  Find where the wind goes: moments from my life. New York: Scholastic, 2001