Breast Cancer Case Study

Introduction

Breast cancer is characterized by the growth of cells in the breast. It is composed of three primary parts. The parts include the ducts, the connective tissues, and the lobules. The ducts can be defined as the tubes that carry milk to the nipples. Breast cancer also can spread through the lymph and blood vessels; the spread is often referred to as the metastasized. Many at times, suspected cases of breast cancer usually appear in the following form:

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• Lumps
• The dimpling of the Skin
• The notable uneven appearance of the breasts
• There is also the severe discomfort which is experienced in the breasts

The case of Mrs. V is, therefore, an actual manifestation of breast cancer because it was noted in the form of a lump which stood near the lower and outer section of her breast. Just like in her situation and the immediate response strategy, it is recommended that when a person suspects either of the four manifestations listed in the previous case, he should seek urgent attention of the doctor. The questions from the case study will, therefore, be premised on the treatment and management plan with the main issues revolving the chemotherapy.

Chemotherapeutic agents are construed as the antineoplastic agents which are used to either indirectly or directly stop the proliferation of the rapidly dividing cells of different types of cancer with the inclusion of breast cancer though in most cases, it is used within the context of malignancy. The one which would be anticipated for Mrs. V's treatment plan is Avastin or the Bevacizumab chemotherapeutic agents (Baudino, 2015). Examples are noted on the monoclonal antibodies and the anti-angiogenesis drugs. The chemotherapeutic agent is primarily administered through infusion to the veins with the dose offered for a period that goes above 90 minutes. In other cases, the infusion time may be reduced to 30 minutes when well tolerated. The quantity of Bevacizumab to be given is also dependent on many factors. For example, the height and weight of Mrs. V and her general health to mitigate possible adverse effects.

Discussion of the Action for the Anticipated Chemotherapeutic Agent

The breast cancer cells in Mrs. V, need a good supply of blood and oxygen for them to function, grow, and multiply effectively. The blood and the oxygen also aid the breast cancer cells in stimulating the appearance of new blood vessels into the tumor or the lump as for the case of Mrs. V. The chemotherapeutic agent, therefore, functions by ensuring that it blocks the growth of new blood vessels hence starving the cancer of required nutrients (Einav, Finkelstein & Williams, 2016). It is equally notable that the growth of the new blood vessels in the breast is referred to as the angiogenesis where "angio" gives reference to the beginning. The cancer cells can equally generate proteins referred to as the endothelial growth factors which aid in the production of angiogenesis. Avastin, therefore, blocks the protein generated thus interfering with the production of new blood vessels within the breast cancer tissues and starve cancer. The chemotherapeutic agent may also interfere with the blood vessels which are already feeding thus creating a hard condition manageable for the survival of cancer. It makes breast cancer to become more vulnerable to chemotherapy.

The Anticipated Side Effects of the Chemotherapeutic Agent

Even though Bevacizumab aid in the treatment and starving of the breast cancer cells, it equally has its side effects which may also be viewed as the demerits (Miller et al. 2016). They include the following:

• The increased rate of blood pressure in the body
• Regularly experiences of back pain and headache
• Having dry and watery eyes
• Mrs. V may also experience instances of running nose and sneezes
• Her sense in taste may also change
• It is also possible for her to experience rectal and nose-bleeding accounts
• She may equally vomit and begin to encounter events of hair loss

Key Elements to Include in the Patient’s Education Plan

In consideration of the severe side effects noted in question three, it is significant for Mrs. V to be taken through a series of educational procedures to enable her to understand her condition better and the best mechanism which she can use in managing it (Rheinbay et al. 2017). Some of the key elements to include in her education plan include the following:

• Understanding of the breast cancer, how it can be managed, and possible side effects
• The chemotherapeutic agent (Bevacizumab)
• Educating Mrs. V, on the side effects while also inspiring hope
• The administration of dosses and how the side effects can be controlled to ensure the mitigation of some of the effects mentioned in the previous section.

Conclusion

Based on the case study given, Mrs. V's case is a manifestation of breast cancer which can be treated through the administration of Bevacizumab or Avastin as the chemotherapeutic agent. The chemotherapy ensures that the rapidly dividing cancer cells are blocked from accessing blood supply and oxygen thus denied the reception of necessary nutrients. The chemotherapy has its side effects which may also be mitigated in some ways as noted in both question three and four respectively.

References

Baudino, T. (2015). Targeted cancer therapy: the next generation of cancer treatment. Current drug discovery technologies, 12(1), 3-20.

Einav, L., Finkelstein, A., & Williams, H. (2016). Paying on the margin for medical care: Evidence from breast cancer treatments. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 8(1), 52-79.

Miller, K. D., Siegel, R. L., Lin, C. C., Mariotto, A. B., Kramer, J. L., Rowland, J. H., ... & Jemal, A. (2016). Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2016. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 66(4), 271-289.

Rheinbay, E., Parasuraman, P., Grimsby, J., Tiao, G., Engreitz, J. M., Kim, J., & Hess, J. (2017). Recurrent and functional regulatory mutations in breast cancer. Nature, 547(7661), 55.