The effect of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk The WritePass Journal

The effect of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk Abstract The effect of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk ) study argues that there is a direct benefit to the reduction of breast cancer by adding Vitamin D both before and after a cancer diagnosis.   Others cite the impact of Vitamin D on Breast Cancer as only negligible (Prentice, Prettinger and Jackson 2013).   Still others cite the early stage of research as an obstacle to fully embracing the value of Vitamin D (Yin, Grandi and Raum 2010).   Yet, further studies link Vitamin D and the method of ingestion as a pivotal issue (Prentice et al 2013). The goal of this study would be to further determine the role of Vitamin D in relation to breast cancer in women. 1.2 Aims and Objectives In this section, the research aims, objectives, and research questions will be outlined.   Firstly, the aim of this research is as follows: The following research objectives have been determined: What is the effect of vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk? What is the vitamin D status, determined by 25-OH vitamin D levels, among women diagnosed with breast cancer?   1.3 Research Questions The research question is: What are the known associations with Vitamin D supplementation and breast cancer? What are the key factors that have been impacted by Vitamin D supplementation of cancer? Do the means of Vitamin D ingestion have an impact on effectiveness? What is the potential emerging research teaching? 2 Literature Review   2.1 Factors that contribute to Breast Cancer Deficiencies in all forms have long been credited with the increasing the probability for cancer of all varieties (Pearce and Cheetham 2010). Factors including the lack of Vitamin D have been linked to breast cancer diagnosis in women (Chung, Lee and Terasawa 2011). With lifestyle choices and long-term habits playing a pivotal role in a cancer diagnosis, the impact of a single element is debateable (Brasky, Lampe and Potter 2010).   Diseases including Rickets and osteomalacia are directly tied to vitamin D deficiency, making a breast cancer link plausible (Pearce et al 2010).   The presence of or lack of vitamins are argued to impact a breast cancer diagnosis. 2.2 Vitamin D and Breast Cancer supplementation in Women A wide array of professionals ranging across clinical applications, autoimmunity, cardiology and cancer fields agree that the Vitamin D supplementation is a benefit to the effort to increase breast prevention efforts (Souberbielle, Jeanjacques Body and Lappe 2010).   Yet, Prentice et al (2013), while maintaining the moderate value of the supplementation practice, argue that the reduction in breast cancer occurrence due to this factor is only suggestive, not conclusive. 2.3 Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Prevention Option Wolff and Guiliano (2011) have found that Vitamin D as a supplement is superior to a dietary intake of vitamin D. This study charts a correlation between the incidents of breast cancer prevention and the dietary method of vitamin intake.   It is insufficient to rely on any single indicator in as a prevention mechanism (Thacher and Clarke 2011).   Further, the benefits of vitamin D are only at the observational stage and cannot be fully accredited (Ibid). 2.4Trends The combination of Calcium/Vitamin D is providing an avenue for research towards a diminished rate of breast cancer (Bolland, Grey, Gamble and Reid 2011).   Conversely, Brunner, Wactawski-Wende and Cann (2011) illustrate that there is no substantial reduction in breast cancer among their studies participants employing this combination. 3. Methodology   The methodology focuses on an explanation of the approaches considered: What is the effect of vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk? What is the vitamin D status, determined by 25-OH vitamin D levels, among women diagnosed with breast cancer? 3.1 Approach Positivism, quantitative method, provides solutions resting in math, producing empirical data (Yin 2003). Interpretivism or qualitative uses the interpretive approach utilizing instruments like coding. Post-Positivism, a combination of the two is best suited to determine the impact of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer in women (Bryan and Bell 2007). Both inductive and deductive approaches were considered.   Bryan et al (2007) view both approaches as ‘connected’ with distinct elements, but the connection are not fixed.   Therefore settled the use of a mixed method or post-positivism method was chosen as the best approach. 3.2 Research Strategy This study will collect and analyse empirical data (Biggam 2012).   The utilization of both primary and secondary research material will provide depth and fundamental clarity to the study (Yin 2003). The empirical research in this study deals with an in-depth review of breast cancer cases, survivors and relevant medical professionals.   Primary data will be accumulated through the creation and utilization of a survey directly transmitted to breast cancer survivors and oncological professionals (Ibid). Prior and existing case studies will be evaluated utilizing secondary sources alongside the application of a primary source survey issued to the breast cancer survivors and members of the oncologist community (Yin 2003).   This research strategy is best suited to facilitate a well rounded evaluation of issues that promote various perspectives in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the link between Vitamin D supplementation and breast cancer (Lock, Silvermand and Spirdus o 2010). 3.4 Data Collection Methods and Instruments The collection methods used in this study were: Primary data using Surveys from survivors and medical professionals (Saunders et al 2007). Secondary breast cancer data via journal and peer reviewed article The primary disadvantages rest in the limited capacity to check answers or develop further details. Further, obtaining primary data may be very high (Yin 2003). 7. References Biggam, J. (2012) Succeeding with Your Masters Dissertation. 2nd ed.Berks. McGraw-Hill Boll, Grey, A., Gamble, G. and Reid, I. 2011. Calcium and vitamin D supplements and health outcomes: a reanalysis of the Womens Health Initiative (WHI) limited-access data set.  The American journal of clinical nutrition, 94 (4), pp. 11441149. Brasky, T., Lampe, J., Potter, J., Patterson, R. and White, E. 2010. Specialty supplements and breast cancer risk in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) Cohort.  Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers \ Prevention, 19 (7), pp. 16961708. Brunner, R., Wactawski-Wende, J., Caan, B., Cochrane, B., Chlebowski, R., Gass, M., Jacobs, E., Lacroix, A., Lane, D., Larson, J. and Others. 2011. The effect of calcium plus vitamin D on risk for invasive cancer: results of the Womens Health Initiative (WHI) calcium plus vitamin D randomized clinical trial.  Nutrition and cancer, 63 (6), pp. 827841. Bryan and Bell, (2007)Buisness Research Methods Oxford. University Press Chung, M., Lee, J., Terasawa, T., Lau, J. and Trikalinos, T. 2011. Vitamin D with or without calcium supplementation for prevention of cancer and fractures: an updated meta-analysis for the US Preventive Services Task Force.  Annals of Internal Medicine, 155 (12), pp. 827838. Locke L. F., Silverman S J and Spirduso, W, W (2010, pg 198) Reading and Understanding Research. 3rd ed. Mohr, S., Gorham, E., Alcaraz, J., Kane, C., Macera, C., Parsons, J., Wingard, D. and Garl. 2012. Does the evidence for an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D status and breast cancer risk satisfy the Hill criteria?.  Dermato-endocrinology, 4 (2), pp. 152157. Pearce, S., Cheetham, T. and Others. 2010. Diagnosis and management of vitamin D deficiency.  Bmj, 340 p. 5664. Prentice, R., Pettinger, M., Jackson, R., Wactawski-Wende, J., Lacroix, A., Anderson, G., Chlebowski, R., Manson, J., Van Horn, L., Vitolins, M. and Others. 2013. Health risks and benefits from calcium and vitamin D supplementation: Womens Health Initiative clinical trial and cohort study.  Osteoporosis International, 24 (2), pp. 567580. Serrano, J., De Lorenzo, D., Cassanye, A., Mart\\In-Gari, M., Espinel, A., Delgado, M., Pamplona, R. and Portero-Otin, M. 2013. Vitamin D receptor BsmI polymorphism modulates soy intake and 25-hydroxyvitamin D supplementation benefits in cardiovascular disease risk factors profile.Genes \ nutrition, 8 (6), pp. 561569. Souberbielle, J., Body, J., Lappe, J., Plebani, M., Shoenfeld, Y., Wang, T., Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Cavalier, E., Ebeling, P., Fardellone, P. and Others. 2010. Vitamin D and musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular disease, autoimmunity and cancer: Recommendations for clinical practice.Autoimmunity reviews, 9 (11), pp. 709715. Thacher, T. and Clarke, B. 2011. Vitamin D insufficiency. 86 (1), pp. 5060. Yin, L., Gr, I, N., Raum, E., Haug, U., Arndt, V. and Brenner, H. 2010. Meta-analysis: serum vitamin D and breast cancer risk.  European Journal of Cancer, 46 (12), pp. 21962205. Yin, R. 2003.  Case study research. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.Pallant, J. (2010) SPSS 8. Gantt Chart The effect of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk Abstract The effect of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk ) study argues that there is a direct benefit to the reduction of breast cancer by adding Vitamin D both before and after a cancer diagnosis.   Others cite the impact of Vitamin D on Breast Cancer as only negligible (Prentice, Prettinger and Jackson 2013).   Still others cite the early stage of research as an obstacle to fully embracing the value of Vitamin D (Yin, Grandi and Raum 2010).   Yet, further studies link Vitamin D and the method of ingestion as a pivotal issue (Prentice et al 2013). The goal of this study would be to further determine the role of Vitamin D in relation to breast cancer in women. 1.2 Aims and Objectives In this section, the research aims, objectives, and research questions will be outlined.   Firstly, the aim of this research is as follows: The following research objectives have been determined: What is the effect of vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk? What is the vitamin D status, determined by 25-OH vitamin D levels, among women diagnosed with breast cancer?   1.3 Research Questions The research question is: What are the known associations with Vitamin D supplementation and breast cancer? What are the key factors that have been impacted by Vitamin D supplementation of cancer? Do the means of Vitamin D ingestion have an impact on effectiveness? What is the potential emerging research teaching? 2 Literature Review 2.1 Factors that contribute to Breast Cancer Deficiencies in all forms have long been credited with the increasing the probability for cancer of all varieties (Pearce and Cheetham 2010). Factors including the lack of Vitamin D have been linked to breast cancer diagnosis in women (Chung, Lee and Terasawa 2011). With lifestyle choices and long-term habits playing a pivotal role in a cancer diagnosis, the impact of a single element is debateable (Brasky, Lampe and Potter 2010).   Diseases including Rickets and osteomalacia are directly tied to vitamin D deficiency, making a breast cancer link plausible (Pearce et al 2010).   The presence of or lack of vitamins are argued to impact a breast cancer diagnosis. 2.2 Vitamin D and Breast Cancer supplementation in Women A wide array of professionals ranging across clinical applications, autoimmunity, cardiology and cancer fields agree that the Vitamin D supplementation is a benefit to the effort to increase breast prevention efforts (Souberbielle, Jeanjacques Body and Lappe 2010).   Yet, Prentice et al (2013), while maintaining the moderate value of the supplementation practice, argue that the reduction in breast cancer occurrence due to this factor is only suggestive, not conclusive. 2.3 Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Prevention Option Wolff and Guiliano (2011) have found that Vitamin D as a supplement is superior to a dietary intake of vitamin D. This study charts a correlation between the incidents of breast cancer prevention and the dietary method of vitamin intake.   It is insufficient to rely on any single indicator in as a prevention mechanism (Thacher and Clarke 2011).   Further, the benefits of vitamin D are only at the observational stage and cannot be fully accredited (Ibid). 2.4Trends The combination of Calcium/Vitamin D is providing an avenue for research towards a diminished rate of breast cancer (Bolland, Grey, Gamble and Reid 2011).   Conversely, Brunner, Wactawski-Wende and Cann (2011) illustrate that there is no substantial reduction in breast cancer among their studies participants employing this combination. 3. Methodology   The methodology focuses on an explanation of the approaches considered: What is the effect of vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer risk? What is the vitamin D status, determined by 25-OH vitamin D levels, among women diagnosed with breast cancer? 3.1 Approach Positivism, quantitative method, provides solutions resting in math, producing empirical data (Yin 2003). Interpretivism or qualitative uses the interpretive approach utilizing instruments like coding. Post-Positivism, a combination of the two is best suited to determine the impact of Vitamin D supplementation on breast cancer in women (Bryan and Bell 2007). Both inductive and deductive approaches were considered.   Bryan et al (2007) view both approaches as ‘connected’ with distinct elements, but the connection are not fixed.   Therefore settled the use of a mixed method or post-positivism method was chosen as the best approach. 3.2 Research Strategy This study will collect and analyse empirical data (Biggam 2012).   The utilization of both primary and secondary research material will provide depth and fundamental clarity to the study (Yin 2003). The empirical research in this study deals with an in-depth review of breast cancer cases, survivors and relevant medical professionals.   Primary data will be accumulated through the creation and utilization of a survey directly transmitted to breast cancer survivors and oncological professionals (Ibid). Prior and existing case studies will be evaluated utilizing secondary sources alongside the application of a primary source survey issued to the breast cancer survivors and members of the oncologist community (Yin 2003).   This research strategy is best suited to facilitate a well rounded evaluation of issues that promote various perspectives in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the link between Vitamin D supplementation and breast cancer (Lock, Silvermand and Spirdus o 2010). 3.4 Data Collection Methods and Instruments The collection methods used in this study were: Primary data using Surveys from survivors and medical professionals (Saunders et al 2007). Secondary breast cancer data via journal and peer reviewed article The primary disadvantages rest in the limited capacity to check answers or develop further details. Further, obtaining primary data may be very high (Yin 2003). 7. References Biggam, J. (2012) Succeeding with Your Masters Dissertation. 2nd ed.Berks. McGraw-Hill Boll, Grey, A., Gamble, G. and Reid, I. 2011. Calcium and vitamin D supplements and health outcomes: a reanalysis of the Womens Health Initiative (WHI) limited-access data set.  The American journal of clinical nutrition, 94 (4), pp. 11441149. Brasky, T., Lampe, J., Potter, J., Patterson, R. and White, E. 2010. Specialty supplements and breast cancer risk in the VITamins And Lifestyle (VITAL) Cohort.  Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers \ Prevention, 19 (7), pp. 16961708. Brunner, R., Wactawski-Wende, J., Caan, B., Cochrane, B., Chlebowski, R., Gass, M., Jacobs, E., Lacroix, A., Lane, D., Larson, J. and Others. 2011. The effect of calcium plus vitamin D on risk for invasive cancer: results of the Womens Health Initiative (WHI) calcium plus vitamin D randomized clinical trial.  Nutrition and cancer, 63 (6), pp. 827841. Bryan and Bell, (2007)Buisness Research Methods Oxford. University Press Chung, M., Lee, J., Terasawa, T., Lau, J. and Trikalinos, T. 2011. Vitamin D with or without calcium supplementation for prevention of cancer and fractures: an updated meta-analysis for the US Preventive Services Task Force.  Annals of Internal Medicine, 155 (12), pp. 827838. Locke L. F., Silverman S J and Spirduso, W, W (2010, pg 198) Reading and Understanding Research. 3rd ed. Mohr, S., Gorham, E., Alcaraz, J., Kane, C., Macera, C., Parsons, J., Wingard, D. and Garl. 2012. Does the evidence for an inverse relationship between serum vitamin D status and breast cancer risk satisfy the Hill criteria?.  Dermato-endocrinology, 4 (2), pp. 152157. Pearce, S., Cheetham, T. and Others. 2010. Diagnosis and management of vitamin D deficiency.  Bmj, 340 p. 5664. Prentice, R., Pettinger, M., Jackson, R., Wactawski-Wende, J., Lacroix, A., Anderson, G., Chlebowski, R., Manson, J., Van Horn, L., Vitolins, M. and Others. 2013. Health risks and benefits from calcium and vitamin D supplementation: Womens Health Initiative clinical trial and cohort study.  Osteoporosis International, 24 (2), pp. 567580. Serrano, J., De Lorenzo, D., Cassanye, A., Mart\\In-Gari, M., Espinel, A., Delgado, M., Pamplona, R. and Portero-Otin, M. 2013. Vitamin D receptor BsmI polymorphism modulates soy intake and 25-hydroxyvitamin D supplementation benefits in cardiovascular disease risk factors profile.Genes \ nutrition, 8 (6), pp. 561569. Souberbielle, J., Body, J., Lappe, J., Plebani, M., Shoenfeld, Y., Wang, T., Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Cavalier, E., Ebeling, P., Fardellone, P. and Others. 2010. Vitamin D and musculoskeletal health, cardiovascular disease, autoimmunity and cancer: Recommendations for clinical practice.Autoimmunity reviews, 9 (11), pp. 709715. Thacher, T. and Clarke, B. 2011. Vitamin D insufficiency. 86 (1), pp. 5060. Yin, L., Gr, I, N., Raum, E., Haug, U., Arndt, V. and Brenner, H. 2010. Meta-analysis: serum vitamin D and breast cancer risk.  European Journal of Cancer, 46 (12), pp. 21962205. Yin, R. 2003.  Case study research. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.Pallant, J. (2010) SPSS

A Study Of Shaka Zulu And His Influence On Modern Zimbabwe

A Study Of Shaka Zulu And His Influence On Modern Zimbabwe SHAKA ZULU AND ZIMBABWE TODAY I am just back from a trip of about 1 200 kilometres around Zimbabwe. Everywhere I went I saw the empty skulls of a people driven off their land. Farm homes without windows, windows without curtains, gardens overgrown and dying, staff quarters empty and lifeless. Croplands idle and overgrown with weeds. Farm equipment rusting in the broken down sheds, hungry cattle without water, vultures having a feast day. It reminded me of the mfecane of the Transvaal Highveld in the early part of the 19th century in South Africa. The greatest Zulu leader in history, Shaka, often termed the Napoleon of African history, was responsible. Out of a tiny minority of only 2 000 people, he crafted the Zulu nation crushing and absorbing into the ranks of his impis the youth of the tribes to the north and south of his home and completely destroying the tribal peoples of the interior. Only three groups the Tswana of what is now Botswana, the Sotho of what is now Lesotho and the Dhlamini clan in what is now known as Swaziland, halted him in his ambitions. His genius lay in a few simple military rules when a boy reached the age of 15 he joined a regiment or impi. Experienced and successful warriors, who passed on to their young wards the knowledge they had accumulated in numerous raids on other tribes, led the impi. Their reward was that they kept most of what they took by force, and although all cattle belonged to Shaka, they were allowed to use the cattle for their own ends. When Shaka felt they had proved their manhood, they were given the right to choose girls, to marry and establish their own homes. They were given land and the use of cattle to enable them to become established. Their bondage to Shaka was life long. They were utterly ruthless and it must have been quite a sight to see an impi on a mission running in unison, their feet thundering out in rhythm on the dry African veld. When I was a boy growing up in the eastern parts of the Matopo Hills, some of the older men in the villages still wore the ring in their hair to signify their status as ndunas or officers in the Zulu war machine. In the case of the people I lived amongst it was an offshoot of the Zulu empire the Ndebele of southern Zimbabwe who had come to Zimbabwe in about 1820 after completing the mfecane on the highveld of South Africa. What Shaka had ordered was that the people of the highveld be destroyed so that they could never again threaten the hegemony of the Zulu nation in the Natal coastlands. At his order, the impis of the Zulu clans moved up into what are today the Transvaal and the Free State and they murdered every man, woman and child they could find. Driving their cattle and other assets back to the Zulu heartland as gifts for Shaka and his senior chiefs. Only selected women were kept alive to be taken as wives on return at the pleasure of Shaka. It was ruthless and self-perpetuating so long as the Zulus could hold together and enforce discipline. Its success made the Zulus the dominant social, economic and political force in southern Africa. Its tentacles spread as far north as Tanzania and Malawi, as far south as the growing influence of the white man would permit. At the start of the 19th century, the Afrikaner Boers started the Great Trek northwards eventually stopping in Chimanimani in eastern Zimbabwe. When their wagons crested the escarpments that sheltered the hinterland across the Vaal and Orange rivers, they found nothing but empty kraals and dry skulls. At a recent meeting in Pretoria with their South African counterparts, the Zimbabwe Minister of Foreign Affairs told his South African hosts that the land reform process is over in Zimbabwe and they would not be taking any more land from white farmers. He then appealed to the South Africans to help them get compensation for the displaced farmers. In fact there is little left now on the highveld of Zimbabwe where the bulk of the countries 4 000 commercial farmers had once been. Perhaps some 15 per cent remain shell shocked and cowed, ready to run at the slightest hint that they are coming back. Like the tribes of the hinterland in South Africa there was no help in the face of overwhelming force, no rule of law to shield them from the loss of everything they owned and held dear. One interpretation of the word mfecane is forced migration or a pogrom. Can anyone deny that Mugabe has done to the white farmers and the people who worked for them, just what Shaka did to the tribal peoples of the South African highveld? The fact that he has done this at the start of the 21st century, 200 years after Shaka, 50 years after the formation of the UN and the Declaration of Human Rights. 22 years after the signing of an agreement and the introduction of a negotiated constitution designed to prevent these sorts of excesses. Now just to round off the exercise we hear the government is uplifting thousands of farm workers and their families and dumping them without food or shelter near the Mozambique border in the north and east. Its forced migration or another mfecane. What Shaka did not know at the time was that he was opening up the way for a new empire to become established on the highveld. An Afrikaner empire with superior weapons and great personal courage and determination. What he also did not know was that under the feet of his impis lay the richest mineral beds in the world and that one-day in the paths cleared by the Zulu warriors, new warriors would ride. Just as ruthless and cunning, using money as their weapon and trading their rights for privilege across the globe. Smuts, Rhodes, Beit, Oppenheimer, men who would influence world affairs for another 150 years. Perhaps in the same way, a new nation is growing up in Zimbabwe. Its path cleared by the ruthless and cruel actions of another African tyrant, Mugabe. The principles he is using are the same, the effects similar, the object identical. Perhaps the outcome too, will be similar, a new nation will rise up in place of that being destroyed and it will be better, richer and more permanent than the fragile hegemony that Shaka thought would last forever. Tyranny never survives its perpetrators one day, one day soon, Mugabe will be swept aside by the very forces that he seeks to control. Then we will get the chance to build a better life for everyone that remains on the highveld in Zimbabwe. The highveld in our case is not geographical its based on principle. The principle of a nation foundered on the rule of law, of a constitution to which our people hold universal allegiance as the highest law in the land. The basic right of every man, women and child to life, liberty and respect, a deep commitment to democratic principles and to the creation of an open and transparent society. A pipe dream? No it need not be would the people of the South African highveld ever dreamed that one day a third of the economic power of Africa would come out of the area known as the whitewater ridge in the Transvaal? No of course not, but within 100 years of the terrifying nights of the mfecane, this was already a reality and Shaka only a memory.

The Birds and Psycho Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Birds and Psycho - Essay Example Considering that these two movies are horror movies, the sound and the music tracks involved plays a great role in developing the suspense and tension, which are the major reactions elicited by the movies. While moving from one scene to the other, the sound track keeps changing and advancing in their menacing nature, making the audience feel as if the next scene is happening right there with them. This sound technique has been extensively applied in the movie† the Bird.† At the scene where seagulls set themselves on children during Cathy’s party, the soundtrack that precedes the scene is definitely warning. Additionally, when Melanie goes to check on Cathy at school, out of fear that she might be harmed on her way from school, there is sinister sound track that plays, as the crows are amassing themselves in the school’s play ground ready to attack children, raising tension and creating suspense on the audience as they wait to see what happens next (Raubicheck and Walter, 28). The same ominous application of sound can be identified in the movie â€Å"Psycho†. The sound track that is applied in the scene where Marion enters a bathroom to shower is terrifying. The sound track precedes the coming of a shadowed-figure of a woman, who stabs her to death. The sounds playing before the scene where the detective is attacked by the shadowed woman figure , creates great tension and suspension, which makes the audience anticipate, without any doubt that something terrible is going to happen. And sure enough, the suspense and tension is confirmed by the sudden stabbing of the detective to death (Raubicheck and Walter, 56). Strange and undisclosed character use is yet another comparison between the movies, "The Birds" and â€Å"Psycho". In both movies, it is not clear what causes the attacks and deaths that occur. Alfred Hitchcock uses strange characters in both movies, where in â€Å"the Bird†,