Welcome to the 2nd edition of October’s highlights!
The Incidence of Breast Cancer in Males
By Saivishnu Tulugu
Breast Cancer. This notorious cancer is said to affect one in eight American women in their lifetime. However, a little less known fact about this cancer is that it can also affect men. In fact, a new study finds that every 1 in 100 cases of breast cancer is found in a man. The three main forms of breast cancer in men include invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, and ductal carcinoma in situ (CDC). Collectively, these three classes of breast cancers develop in the tissue of a male’s breast region and can metastasize to other parts of the body.
The symptoms of breast cancer in males is somewhat different than those in females. Bhavana Rai and her team from the Post Grade Institute of Medical Education and Research report that men with breast cancer often report swelling or redness in the breast area, discharge from the nipple, and a small lump (Rai et. al). However, due to a general misunderstanding about breast cancer incidence in males, men tend to ignore these symptoms and present them to the hospital at a later clinical stage. From an epidemiological standpoint, this results in an overall higher mortality rate after diagnosis in men when compared to women (Schottenfeld).
Some preventable factors for onset of breast cancer in males are monitoring genetic predispositions as well as limiting exposure to environmental toxins (Salvadori et. al). All people regardless of gender should get tested for the BRCA 2 gene to find out if familial breast cancer runs in their family. Knowing this information from an early stage, can allow for earlier detection of cancer and result in better health outcomes. Another action that can be taken is to limit the exposure to radiation and environmental toxins such as arsenic, mercury, and lead. Preliminary studies suggest that these substances could be linked to the onset of breast cancer.
All in all, although rare, it should be made aware that breast cancer is a problem that affects men. Through further research and advocacy for the cause, hopefully one day breast cancer can be better understood and treated.
Careers in Orthopedics
By Jayleen
Orthopedics, as defined by Medical News Today, is “a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the skeletal system and its interconnecting parts.” When working in the field of orthopedics, the parts of the body most encountered are the joints, tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments. Conditions typically treated in orthopedics include back pain and neck pain, bone fractures, congenital conditions such as clubfoot and scoliosis, and soft tissue injuries. However, in order to best suit and obtain a career in orthopedics – or medicine in general – one should possess certain character traits.
One important trait one should exhibit if entering the field of medicine is resilience. Throughout college and medical school, one will be competing with those who are just as brilliant and skillful as one finds themselves. Medical school is also no walk in the park, thus it’s important to maintain resilience when facing challenging obstacles. Another trait one must demonstrate is adaptability. As medical school is often denounced as extremely competitive, and even cutthroat at times, thus one must be adaptable with their studying habits and independence. The last trait that will pose as an advantage to those who possess it, and hope to pursue a medical profession, is emotional intelligence. As a doctor, one must be a good listener, empathetic, trusting, and have good bedside manners. As long as one is able to improve themselves to better help those around them, one will be faced with great success.
There are many careers in orthopedics, some notable ones include orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, and athletic training. Within orthopedic surgery, there are furthermore several specialties, including:
- Pediatrics orthopedics
- Orthopedic oncology
- Sports medicine
- Orthopedic trauma
To become an orthopedic surgeon, one must first complete a bachelor’s degree, complete four years of medical school, and finally a five-year orthopedic surgery residency program. However, it may be important to note that there may be additional training required depending on the specialty. Physician assistants, while they don’t have as much autonomy as physicians, are still able to provide many of the same services. They often work with orthopedic surgeons, performing various tasks such as assisting in the operating room and managing the behind the scenes of patient care. To become a physician assistant, one must complete a bachelor’s degree, which is typically followed by a 2-3 year masters degree program. Furthermore, another opportunity in orthopedics is becoming a physical therapist, who aid in orthopedic recovery. Physical therapists help those that may be recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or help to restore a patient’s normal body functioning. To become a physical therapist, one must at least obtain a bachelor’s degree in addition to a certification exam, however, many who pursue a career in physical therapy also complete a masters or doctoral degree. Another career path available if one wishes to pursue their interests in orthopedics is athletic training. Though many people may think of athletic trainers as only working in sport facilities, their skills and services are increasingly being utilized in hospital settings. To become an athletic trainer, one must at least obtain a bachelor’s degree, while many trainers also pursue a masters in athletic training as well. If you are interested in orthopedics, hopefully one of these careers will be of interest to you!
Works Cited:
Breast cancer:
CDC. (2020, August 11). Breast Cancer in Men. Retrieved October 06, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/men/index.htm
Ghoshal, S., Sharma, S., & Rai, B. (2005). Breast cancer in males: A PGIMER experience. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, 1(1), 31. doi:10.4103/0973-1482.1608
Salvadori, B., Saccozzi, R., Manzari, A., Andreola, S., Conti, R., Cusumano, F., & Grassi, M. (1994). Prognosis of breast cancer in males: An analysis of 170 cases. European Journal of Cancer, 30(7), 930-935. doi:10.1016/0959-8049(94)90117-1
Schottenfeld, D., Lilienfeld, A. M., & Diamond, H. (1963). Some Observations on the Epidemiology of Breast Cancer Among Males. American Journal of Public Health and the Nations Health, 53(6), 890-897. doi:10.2105/ajph.53.6.890
Careers:
Cluett, J. (2020, January 8). 7 Career Options to Care for People With Orthopedic Injuries. The Balance Careers. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/orthopedic-career-opportunities-4161330
Davis, K. F. (2020, May 5). What is orthopedics, and what do orthopedists do? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-orthopedics#definition
Jubbal, B. K. (2019, August 31). 6 Signs You’ll Be a Great Doctor. Med School Insiders. https://medschoolinsiders.com/pre-med/6-signs-youll-be-a-great-doctor/
Medical Wonders 