1. Tanisha Shridhar and Kelly Slazinski Mr. Steinman Honors Biology A-2

2. Gene Exact name of gene- BRCA1 AND BRCA2 : belong to class of genes known as tumor suppressors. Mutations of this genes have been linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Name of protein coded for by gene- RING finger protein 53

3. Symptoms of Disorder Breast lump or lump in the armpit that is hard, has uneven edges, and usually does not hurt. Change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or nipple—for example, you may have redness, dimpling, or puckering that looks like the outside skin of an orange. Fluid coming from the nipple—may be bloody, clear to yellow, green, and look like pus

4. Symptoms of Advanced Breast Cancer Bone pain Breast pain or discomfort Skin ulcers Swelling of one arm(next to the breast with cancer) Weight loss

5. Treatment Treatment is based on many factors including: type and stage of cancer, whether the cancer overproduces(over expresses)a gene called HER2/neu, and if the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones General treatments- chemotherapy: medicines to kill cancer cells; radiation therapy: to destroy cancerous tissue Specific treatments - Surgery to remove cancerous tissue: a lumpectomy removes the breast lump; mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and possible nearby structures

6. Treatment (cont.) Different stages have different treatments Stage O and DCIS -- Lumpectomy plus radiation or mastectomy is the standard treatment. There is some controversy on how best to treat DCIS. Stage I and II -- Lumpectomy plus radiation or mastectomy with some sort of lymph node removal is the standard treatment. Hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and biologic therapy may also be recommended following surgery. Stage III -- Treatment involves surgery, possibly followed by chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biologic therapy. Stage IV -- Treatment may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or a combination of these treatments.

7. Inheritance Most women do NOT develop breast cancer Two ways to get it- inherit from parents (familial cancer) or after conception(sporadic cancers)

8. Living a Normal Life? It is very possible to live a normal life It can be an emotional and physical challenge for the person with the cancer, but for their family members as well. A couple things to do if you feel sad when you have cancer are— Talk it out: Talk to someone you trust. Say everything. Hold back nothing. Be honest, and let each emotion pass through you. Cry: Whether you’re alone or having a heart-to-heart with a close friend or loved one, let it out. If you feel like you may start to cry—just cry. You may very well feel better afterward. Try to have faith: If you were raised in a religion, consider whether or not it would offer you comfort and insight into the meaning of life’s challenges today. If you have always been curious, perhaps start attending prayer sessions, or speak with a priest, rabbi, imam, or other person of faith. Be patient: You don’t have to dwell on your diagnosis or what surgery, chemo, or other treatments will or won’t accomplish.

9. For more information: Visit: http://www.breastcancer.org/http://www.breastcancer.org/ http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/ Breast Cancer organizations: http://ww5.komen.org/http://ww5.komen.org/ “ Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.”

10. Other: There are some self- examinations you can do at home to see if you have breast cancer or not, such as this one:

11. Works Cited A.D.A.M Inc. "Breast Cancer - PubMed Health." 28 Dec. 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. Barbour S Warren, Ph.D., Cornell University Division of Nutritional Science, and Carol Devine, Ph.D., Extension Project Leader BCERF. "Family History, Inheritance, and Breast Cancer Risk." Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors. 1 Apr. 2004. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. Cancer Information. "Breast Cancer Can Be an Emotional Challenge as Well as a Physical One." May 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.

12. Works Cited (cont.) National Cancer Institute. "BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Test- National Cancer Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. 29 May 2009. Web. 17 Apr. 2011.