This document proposes a research study on breast cancer prevention. It begins with an introduction on breast cancer and the need for prevention strategies. A literature review found modifiable risk factors like diet and exercise and non-modifiable factors like age and genetics. There is a gap in research focusing more on treatment than prevention. The proposed study would use a cohort design to observe women over time and identify relationships between activities and breast cancer risk to inform prevention. Both quantitative and qualitative data would be collected from hospital patients and online participants. The goal is to determine best prevention strategies and curb the rise in breast cancer cases.

1. Running head: BREAST CANCER PREVENTION 1
Breast Cancer Prevention
Name
Institution

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Breast Cancer Prevention
Introduction
Cancer can be defined as a disease brought about by unmanageable disunion of
abnormal cells at a specific part of the body. The tumors are described as malignant when
they have the capability of affecting neighboring tissues as well as to maneuver their way
through the body, distancing themselves from the original tumor and forming a new one
(Russo, 2016). Therefore, breast cancer can be termed as a tumor that is malignant along the
mammary gland. Breast cancer is most common in women although men contract it too. With
the alarming spread of breast cancer worldwide, different global organizations have come up
with strategies to help reduce these cases. However, despite these efforts, breast cancer cases
continue to rise and cause mortality among many women around the world (Russo, 2016). As
such, further study should be done to determine the specific cause of breast cancer and
various measures that can be put in place to effectively curb this rise in breast cancer.
Literature Synthesis and Gap Analysis
Literature analysis further pointed out that there are several causes of breast cancer
some of which are modifiable while others are non-modifiable. Modifiable factors include the
use of contraceptives and estrogen hormone therapy, lack of exercise and diet. Non-
modifiable factors included age, genetics, and pregnancy (Harmer, 2011). Furthermore,
according to the literature review provided, doctors have come up with various treatment
strategies for breast cancer such as mastectomy and chemotherapy. However, breast cancer
still continues to prevail in developing countries (Harmer, 2011).
As such, there is a gap in research where scientists have dwelt more on treatment
strategies for breast cancer rather than looking into its etiology so as to develop preventative
measures; hence, a study into the preventative measures of breast cancer is justified. This
proposal would be of clinical significance since treatment strategies have severe side effects,

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hence, leaving us to conclude that the best way to go is to prevent breast cancer. For instance,
mastectomy as a treatment measure often leaves the patient deprived of their identity as a
woman (Harmer, 2011). As such, many women are reluctant to go through this treatment. On
the other hand, chemotherapy often proves expensive and has side effects such as the fatigue
as well as the loss of hair (Harmer, 2011).
Research Proposal
In light of the facts presented above, I would like to present a research proposal that
will answer specific questions regarding the reasons for the prevalence of breast cancer in
developing countries and which health promotional strategies can be embraced in order to
prevent breast cancer.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis for the research proposal would be, therefore, “avoiding oral
contraceptives helps reduce breast cancer” or “exercising on a daily basis helps reduce breast
cancer”.
Methodology
The best study design for the research proposal presented above would be a follow-up
or cohort study (Columbus, 2006). Such study design involves observing a group of people
known as the cohort over a period of time. During this time, data is collected in relation to the
disease being studied; such data includes the risks a patient is exposed to and the clinical
outcomes of this exposure (Columbus, 2006). Subsequently, the researchers will be able to
identify health changes in relation to the risk factors the individuals in a cohort were exposed
to.
In the case of breast cancer, the cohort would be women of childbearing age as well
as women who are past their menopause (Russo, 2016). The researcher would then follow
upon these women and record the activities that these women take part in. For example,

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women may differ in the method of birth control that they use as well as the amount of
physical activity they engage in on a daily basis (Russo, 2016). The follow-up should be
conducted for a number of years so as to determine if any of the subjects under study will
contract breast cancer. Following this, the researcher will be able to make a connection
between the risk factors that the subjects were exposed to and the likelihood that these risks
were the cause of cancer (Russo, 2016). The results of such a study will aid in the
development of prevention measures against breast cancer.
Type of Study Design
The research question posed above would render itself as a mixed design type of
study. That is so because the study would involve the use of both qualitative and quantitative
data. It will induce a large number of subjects, the cohorts, in order to be representative of the
general population. As such, quantitative data would be obtained from the subjects selected
for the study. On the other hand, the study would also involve collecting data on the activities
that the subjects engage in on a daily basis. Such data would render itself as qualitative data
since it cannot be quantified (Columbus, 2006). Also, such data would prove essential in
determining the relationship between the activities of the subjects and the risk of breast
cancer (Russo, 2016).
How to Acquire Participants
Participants of the study can be sourced from hospitals as well as from the Internet.
For instance, the researcher can visit the hospital and ask women who come to the hospital to
participate in the research. Also, the researcher can create awareness over the Internet and ask
interested parties to join the study (Columbus, 2006).
In conclusion, breast cancer ought to be approached in a strategic manner, if we want
to curb the current rise in mortality due to this cancer. Researchers can adopt a research
design such as a cohort study in order to determine the risk factors associated with breast

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cancer. Subsequently, the results of this study will point towards the best strategies to curb
the reported cases of colon cancer.

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References
Columbus, F. H. (2006). Trends in cancer prevention research. New York: Nova Science
Publishers.
Harmer, V. (2011). Breast cancer nursing: Care and management. Chichester, West Sussex,
U.K: Wiley-Blackwell.
Russo, J. (2016). Trends in Breast Cancer Prevention. Cham Springer International
Publishing