MICROBIO 160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Radiation Therapy, Biopsy, Chemotherapy

• School: UMASS-Amherst
• Department: Microbiology
• Course: MICROBIO 160
• Professor: Mitchell Walkowicz

Document Summary

Estrogen programs breast and uterine tissue growth. Treatment isn"t always necessary for a particular type of cancer. Estrogen and hormones regulate body functions but come with side effects. Outside estrogens are most dangerous in the case that the breast cancer is estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Onset of menopause made doctors believe it was okay to give women hormones to replace the estrogen they are losing to avoid side effects of menopause. Side effects :- decrease of bone density - increase in fracture, hot flashes, mood swings, loss of libido. Lead to estrogen positive receptor breast cancer. This was a source of controversy: the treatment effects different people in different ways. One side: some women can"t handle the effect of menopause. The opposing side: increase in breast cancer, heart disease and stroke in women who take hormones. Research was done to solve the controversy: Decrease amount of hormones taken, decrease in instance in breast cancer.