Radiation as Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer
             Radiation plays a major role in the detection and treatment of breast cancer through mammograms and radiation therapy. Cancer, or tumors, are malignant growths which do not function like a normal cell. Instead, they grow uncontrollably unchecked by normal cell checkpoints. Without growing limits, the cancerous cells eventually kill normal cells by depriving them of nutrition. Malignant tumors also are unspecialized and do not function like the normal cells from the organ which they come from. The main problems with cancer cells are that they invade surrounding tissues and can spread by the lymph system or blood to other tissues and organs throughout the body.
             Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women - behind lung cancer (www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0808808.html). White non-Hispanic women have the highest rate of breast cancer, over twice the rate for Hispanic women. The lowest rates occur among Korean, American Indian, and Vietnamese women (www.cancer.gov). Breast cancer has been on the rise, but now due to more effective treatment mortality rates are slowly beginning to decrease. Much of the increase in incidence over the past 15 years is associated with increased screening by physical examination and mammography. More people are realizing they have cancer than in previous years. Breast cancer occurs among both women and men, but is quite rare among men.
             The first type of radiation is used in the detection of breast cancer. A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to detect breast changes in women who have no signs of breast cancer. It usually involves two x-rays of each breast. Using a mammogram, it is possible to detect a tumor that cannot be felt.
             The second type of radiation used is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is localized therapy that is design...