Discussion topic:
Using the library resources - specifically the radiation therapy journal collection - locate a peer reviewed research article of interest and identify the problem statement and purpose of the study. Provide the problem statement and purpose statement here and attach a copy of the article to your post.
Peers: review the information. Do you agree with the problem statement and purpose of the study? Do these align with the other components of the study? Did the authors establish questions to solve the problem or make conclusions relating to the purpose of the study?
Discussion post:
Presenting your research topic can be considered one of the most important aspects of a research paper. Clearly defining a research problem is one of the first steps in ensuring your study will have a meaningful impact among peers and colleagues. In defining the research problem parameters must be set on the scope of the study. This can clarify the relevance of the chosen topic and address existing literature that pertains to the subject of choice. By identifying a research problem and the purpose of the study a researcher can sure his or her topic will have a meaningful impact.^1
In the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology research paper, Ductal carcinoma in situ: Is core needle biopsy ever enough?^2 We can take a look at the statement of purpose and how it’s authors presented their research problem by looking at the introduction of this research paper. To begin Caswell-Smith and Wall inform the reader of new DCIS diagnosis rates and point out that compared to the 1970s, 20-30% of new breast cancer diagnoses are DCIS. The authors continue by identifying that this increase in diagnoses and early treatment should reflect a reduced rate of invasive breast cancer diagnosis however this is not reflected in follow up screening. The introduction closes by informing the reader that previous studies suggest that nearly half of needle core biopsies underestimate the amount of disease which points to a need for further examination into the topic effectively states the purpose of the study.^2
Problem: Why aren’t invasive breast cancer rates decreasing if we are identifying them sooner?
Purpose: To further take a look as DCIS diagnosis sampling techniques and the progression of DCIS disease.
I found the problem stated by the authors of this study well identified and succinctly explained. Using a relatively short introduction the authors addressed a seemingly simple problem. If we are diagnosing breast cancer earlier why are we still observing the same rates of invasive breast cancer? The authors expand of their initial question and cite other studies to verify that a problem exists and present the purpose of this study. The authors presented solutions to the research problem at the end of the study and adequately addressed the purpose of the research paper. Two such proposals were improved core sampling for larger lesions, and educating patients that surgical excision is likely to result in an upgrade diagnosis to invasive breast cancer. Patients who opt out of surgical excision due to their less serious diagnosis of DCIS may change their mind when they learn that upon further examination post-surgical excision many patients have an upgrade in cancer diagnosis. These findings would be very important to anyone making decisions about their course of treatment and validate the importance of this study.^2
References
1.Lenards, N. Framing a Problem and Introduction [Softchalk]. La Crosse, WI: UW-LAX medical Dosimerty Program; 2017
2. Caswell-Smith P, Wall M. Ductal carcinoma in situ: Is core needle biopsy ever
enough? J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol.2017;61:29-33.
Using the library resources - specifically the radiation therapy journal collection - locate a peer reviewed research article of interest and identify the problem statement and purpose of the study. Provide the problem statement and purpose statement here and attach a copy of the article to your post.
Peers: review the information. Do you agree with the problem statement and purpose of the study? Do these align with the other components of the study? Did the authors establish questions to solve the problem or make conclusions relating to the purpose of the study?
Discussion post:
Presenting your research topic can be considered one of the most important aspects of a research paper. Clearly defining a research problem is one of the first steps in ensuring your study will have a meaningful impact among peers and colleagues. In defining the research problem parameters must be set on the scope of the study. This can clarify the relevance of the chosen topic and address existing literature that pertains to the subject of choice. By identifying a research problem and the purpose of the study a researcher can sure his or her topic will have a meaningful impact.^1
In the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology research paper, Ductal carcinoma in situ: Is core needle biopsy ever enough?^2 We can take a look at the statement of purpose and how it’s authors presented their research problem by looking at the introduction of this research paper. To begin Caswell-Smith and Wall inform the reader of new DCIS diagnosis rates and point out that compared to the 1970s, 20-30% of new breast cancer diagnoses are DCIS. The authors continue by identifying that this increase in diagnoses and early treatment should reflect a reduced rate of invasive breast cancer diagnosis however this is not reflected in follow up screening. The introduction closes by informing the reader that previous studies suggest that nearly half of needle core biopsies underestimate the amount of disease which points to a need for further examination into the topic effectively states the purpose of the study.^2
Problem: Why aren’t invasive breast cancer rates decreasing if we are identifying them sooner?
Purpose: To further take a look as DCIS diagnosis sampling techniques and the progression of DCIS disease.
I found the problem stated by the authors of this study well identified and succinctly explained. Using a relatively short introduction the authors addressed a seemingly simple problem. If we are diagnosing breast cancer earlier why are we still observing the same rates of invasive breast cancer? The authors expand of their initial question and cite other studies to verify that a problem exists and present the purpose of this study. The authors presented solutions to the research problem at the end of the study and adequately addressed the purpose of the research paper. Two such proposals were improved core sampling for larger lesions, and educating patients that surgical excision is likely to result in an upgrade diagnosis to invasive breast cancer. Patients who opt out of surgical excision due to their less serious diagnosis of DCIS may change their mind when they learn that upon further examination post-surgical excision many patients have an upgrade in cancer diagnosis. These findings would be very important to anyone making decisions about their course of treatment and validate the importance of this study.^2
References
1.Lenards, N. Framing a Problem and Introduction [Softchalk]. La Crosse, WI: UW-LAX medical Dosimerty Program; 2017
2. Caswell-Smith P, Wall M. Ductal carcinoma in situ: Is core needle biopsy ever
enough? J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol.2017;61:29-33.