The semiotics of breast cancer: Signs, symptoms, and sales

Semiotica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (227) ◽  
pp. 187-210
Author(s):  
John Tredinnick-Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Immunological Response ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Immunological Responses ◽  
Transient Nature ◽  
Medical Semiotics

AbstractThis paper analyses the immunological response of breast cancer patients through the lens of medical semiotics. From this perspective both psychological and physiological symptoms are treated as a set of transitive signs. The symptomatic journey of breast cancer patients was documented through an ethnographic engagement with a breast cancer charity. This journey consists of diagnosis, treatment and remission, where both the physical and psychological trauma maybe irreversible. Equally the genetic disposition of each patient and the variability of the treatment give rise to a plethora of possible immunological responses. The case study organization provided both therapeutic treatment but also sold oncology products to its patients, matching the products’ composition to the specific immunological responses caused by breast cancer treatment, e.g., brittle skins or hair loss, etc. This paper explores how the varied and transient nature of immunological semiosis is identified and commoditized into an economic process. This challenging social context is of interest from a semiotic stand point because it offers a singular paradigm to explain the evolution of signs and symptoms into sales.

Adopting a knowledge translation approach in healthcare co-production. A case study

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1841-1862 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Dal Mas ◽  
Helena Biancuzzi ◽  
Maurizio Massaro ◽  
Luca Miceli
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Program

PurposeThe paper aims to contribute to the debate concerning the use of knowledge translation for implementing co-production processes in the healthcare sector. The study investigates a case study, in which design was used to trigger knowledge translation and foster co-production.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs a case study methodology by analysing the experience of “Oncology in Motion”, a co-production program devoted to the recovery of breast cancer patients carried on by the IRCCS C.R.O. of Aviano, Italy.FindingsResults show how design could help to translate knowledge from various stakeholders with different skills (e.g. scientists, physicians, nurses) and emotional engagement (e.g. patients and patients' associations) during all the phases of a co-production project to support breast cancer patients in a recovery path. Stewardship theory is used to show that oncology represents a specific research context.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the vast practical contribution that design can have in empowering knowledge translation at different levels and in a variety of co-production phases, among different stakeholders, facilitating their engagement and the achievement of the desired outcomes.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature on knowledge translation in co-production projects in the healthcare sector showing how design can be effectively implemented.

scholarly journals Monitoring Metastasis and Cachexia in a Patient with Breast Cancer: A Case Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. CMO.S40479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikita Consul ◽  
Xiaotao Guo ◽  
Courtney Coker ◽  
Sara Lopez-Pintado ◽  
Hanina Hibshoosh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Tumor Burden ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
The Third ◽  
Metastatic Burden

Cachexia, a wasting syndrome associated with advanced cancer and metastasis, is rarely documented in breast cancer patients. However, the incidence of cachexia in breast cancer is now thought to be largely underestimated. In our case report of a breast cancer patient with bone metastasis monitored during the course of her treatment, we document the development of cachexia by image analysis in relation to her metastatic burden. Elucidation of the link between metastatic burden and cachexia could unveil a highly specific screening process for metastasis, by assessing true muscle mass loss. Our patient was a 49-year-old premenopausal woman, with metastatic invasive ductal breast carcinoma in the vertebral and iliac bones on presentation, which progressed with new metastases to her hips, thigh bones, and vertebrae. In the two-year period, that is between her diagnosis and death, she lost >10% of her baseline weight. During these two years, we retrospectively identified a decrease in paraspinal muscle (PM) at the third lumbar vertebra followed by a sharp decline in weight. The increased tumor burden over time in metastatic sites was accompanied by a decrease in abdominal muscle and visceral and subcutaneous fat and was followed by the patient's demise. The increasing tumor burden in the patient was correlated with the mass of other tissues to determine the tissue that could best serve as a surrogate marker to cachexia and tumor burden. We noted a strong negative correlation between PM area and metastatic tumor area at the third lumbar vertebral level, with PM loss correlating to increasing tumor burden. The monitoring of PM wasting may serve as a marker, and therefore a prognostic factor, for both cachexia and extent of metastatic disease, especially in breast cancer, where metastasis to bone is frequent. Based on our data and review of the literature in this case study, longitudinal monitoring of cachexia in the selected muscle groups can give clinicians early indications of the extent of cachexia in metastatic breast cancer patients.

scholarly journals Family Process with Breast Cancer Patient in Indonesia

Jurnal NERS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Sarah Kartika Wulandari ◽  
Yanti Hermayanti ◽  
Ahmad Yamin ◽  
Ferry Efendi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Analysis Process ◽  
The Family

Introduction: Breast cancer occupies the first position in Asia’s women cancer cases in recent years. Signs and symptoms experienced by the patient affect the stress condition of the patient as well as the family as a caregiver. The condition changes to deal with problems during patient assistance as a major problem in an outpatient setting. The demands of adaptation to through the needs during the period of assistance by the family is more complex. The study aimed to determine the experience of stress and adaptation of breast cancer patient’s family. Methods: The qualitative method used with in-depth interviews on seven respondents who were the family caregiver of breast cancer patients. Setting carried out at the shelter house in Bandung. The analysis process used thematic analysis based on Braun & Clarke. Results: The results found five main themes are: 1) Stressor on breast cancer patients, 2) Crisis fulfillment of companion needs, 3) Crisis accompaniment, 4) Coping mechanisms of caregiver, and 5) Ability in adaptation. Conclusions: Family experience in assisting breast cancer patients who undergo outpatient also impact families tension who traversed with a subjective effort optimally to adapt in accompanying patients and the needs of other resource support system. Suggestions for future step are early recognition of stress by health workers especially nurses to be able to provide targeted interventions to develop positive adaptation to clients. The development through research is needed in applying family center care both the outpatient and inpatient care in an integrated manner.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Health Seeking Behaviour of Breast Cancer Patients in Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Agbokey ◽  
Elorm Kudzawu ◽  
Mawuli Dzodzomenyo ◽  
Kenneth Ayuurebobi Ae-Ngibise ◽  
Seth Owusu-Agyei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking

Background. Breast cancer is a major contributor to cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, despite the numerous measures employed to prevent and manage the disease. This study explored the knowledge and health seeking behaviour of breast cancer patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, from June 2014 to July 2014. Thirty-five participants were purposively selected. The responses to questions about their experiences with breast cancer were determined using indepth interviews. Transcripts were coded and analysed using NVIVO version 10.0. Results. Participants’ knowledge about signs and symptoms of breast cancer after their diagnosis was high but low for risk factors. Screening for breast cancer through self-breast examination was infrequently performed prior to their diagnosis. The patients’ first point of care was generally health facilities. Some patients reported late due to misinterpretation of signs and symptoms, cultural influences and fear of losing their breast to surgery, physician delay, health providers’ laxity, and disinterest in breast cancer. Men, for example, husbands, decide on where and when breast cancer patients go for treatment. Conclusion. There is poor knowledge of the risk factors for developing breast cancer. Patients resorted to the hospital as first options for cure but were generally delayed in doing so. There is the need to create awareness about breast cancer among the general population.

scholarly journals WNT5A and CREB genetic profiling from breast cancer patients: A case study of Malang population

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elya Khunazatus Shima ◽  
Dwi Listyorini ◽  
Hendra Susanto ◽  
J. D. P. Wisnubroto ◽  
Patricia Karin Himawan Praceptin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Genetic Profiling

scholarly journals The Balance of Spiritual and Nutritional Needs Improves the Well-being of Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (T6) ◽  
pp. 138-142
Author(s):  
Aat Sriati ◽  
Laili Rahayuwati ◽  
Maria Komariah ◽  
Hendrawati Hendrawati ◽  
Iceu Amira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Spiritual Support ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Nutritional Needs

Background. The high prevalence and incidence of breast cancer in Indonesia remains a disheartening issue, for it has turned out to be a threat for the quality of Indonesian women’s life. Let alone the fact that the patients and their families often lose interest in recognizing the issue of breast cancer, both benign and malignant. Besides, the problem faced by breast cancer patients in determining which kind of diagnosis or best therapy is still overlooked by the patients as well as their family members. This includes their indifference toward the patients’ nutrition during chemotherapy, which now thus must be taken into consideration. Purpose. This research aims at observing the needs in general breast cancer patients during their chemotherapy and post-therapy period. Methods. This research is the result of qualitative data collected by case study on 17 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Al-Ihsan Hospital, Bandung District and Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung City. These patients have undergone an in-depth interview either on their own or accompanied by a family member. Results. The result of the qualitative research is obtained through content analysis observation, showing a shallow understanding about therapy, both generally and specifically, regarding the importance of increasing spiritual support besides nutrition and the escalation of its amount on the patient and their families. In fact, one of the things that support the patient’s immune system during their chemotherapy is the sufficient condition of nutrition. Not only that, the result shows that cancer survivors claim they keep spiritual aspect and a balanced intake of nutrition during and after therapy. Conclusion. Therefore, it is necessary to make a formula about spiritual and nutritional needs of breast cancer patients, in the preparatory, momentary, and preempting stage of chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Lithium and preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer patients: a placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Najafi ◽  
Z. Heidarali ◽  
M. Rajabi ◽  
Z. Omidi ◽  
F. Zayeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Common Adverse Effect ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Study Results

Abstract Background Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse effect of some chemotherapy regimens. Lithium has been suggested for CIPN in some animal studies. We aimed to study lithium’s preventive effect on CIPN in breast cancer patients treated with taxanes and platinum-based medications. Method A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) was implemented on 36 breast cancer patients in two equal-size groups by block randomization. Participants in both groups consumed daily tablets, either placebo or lithium (300 mg), for 5 days in each course of chemotherapy. The tablets were prescribed 1 day before the start of chemotherapy. The electromyography (EMG) and nerve-conduction-velocity (NCV) tests were achieved before the first chemotherapy, 3 and 9 months after the treatment. The changes and signs or symptoms of CIPN, such as numbness, tingling, freezing, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness, fibrillation, and knee and elbow reflex disorders, were recorded by examination. The trend of outcome changes was compared between two groups during the 9 months of study. Results In both groups, neurologic signs and symptoms were exacerbated during the first 3 months and improved up to the ninth month of study. Results showed significant changes of all EMG-NCV variables during the 9 months of research in each group (P < 0.001), but the interaction of time and group effect was not significant in none of those indices. All symptoms changed significantly over the study time (P < 0.001) without significant statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.352). No side effect was found during the study. Conclusion The study showed that 300 mg lithium prescription once daily for 5 days might not effectively prevent CIPN in breast cancer patients. Evaluation of lithium effect on CIPN on different cancers in future studies is suggested. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20160813029327N10.  Registration date: May 16, 2018.

Healthcare delay in breast cancer patients: a case study in a low-density population region from Mexico

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 2067-2082
Author(s):  
Jorge Aarón Rangel-Méndez ◽  
José Feliciano Novelo-Tec ◽  
Juan Francisco Sánchez-Cruz ◽  
Roberto Cedillo-Rivera ◽  
Rosa Esther Moo-Puc
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Density Population
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