African American Cancer Treatment Plan

Today, prostate cancer is usually detected through screening, and there are two methods for early detection. The prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) is used, but there are

Testicular cancer in one of the most common cancers in young men between the ages of 15 and 35, but the disease also occurs in other age groups. All men should be aware of the signs and symptoms, the causes of the disease, and the treatment. Compared with other cancers, testicular cancer is rare. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle. Depending on the type and stage of testicular cancer, you may receive one of several treatments, or a combination. Regular testicular self-examinations can help identify growths early, when the chance for successful treatment of testicular cancer is highest.

In the case for PSA screening, PCa is the leading internal malignancy in US men and the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Early detection of prostate cancers offers the best chance of cure. The PSA blood test is the best chance of cure. Currently, the PSA blood test is the best currently available way to detect PCa and it is easy, safe and inexpensive. PSA test results is a piece of information, it is what doctors do with the information that becomes the issue. However, the great majority of PSA detected tumors have the histologic characteristics of clinically important cancers. Also, PSA detection has found tumors early advancing the diagnosis by Seeral years (5-13) and prostate cancer mortality rates in U.S have decreased by 4% (patho book) since 1992, which is 5 years after initiation of prostate screenings. The dilemma is over treating the clinically unimportant disease versus under

While, the other 2 hospitals in the area have cancer programs, there are no coordinators in place to facilitate the scheduling of patients. The care of oncology patients is fragmented. Currently there are no prevention programs in place. There are educational programs in place, but they are not offered frequently.

Despite vast advancements in healthcare African-American men lack appropriate necessities when it comes to health care. Continuous efforts to bridge the gap among African American men with prostate cancer still remains high in the United States. Evidence shows how disproportionate this ethnic population leads in both incidence and mortality rate concerning social determinants of health, as well as health disparities. Major key factors that contribute to this health disparity among African Americans men are low socioeconomic status (SES) and being medically offered inadequate services. According to Richardson et al. (2004), "Prostate cancer (PCa) is most common and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men." However, prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in African-American men, as compared to other race. One of the main barriers hindering the care of this ethnic population is the lack of knowledge. As an Advanced Nurse Practitioners, it is crucial to identify areas in SDoH and health disparities that affect African American men health. False perceptions, misunderstanding and improper information must be replaced with factual information, and communicated accurately (Richardson et al. 2004).

MD Anderson is the top cancer center in the country. Houston and surrounding communities recognize MD Anderson for their outstanding cancer research. The hospital’s mission is to “eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public” (About us, 2015).

Once the medical center has diagnosed patients with cancer, treatment options and decisions are discussed thoroughly.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 544,000 people each year. Minority groups suffer more from cancer than any other group. Black men and women have a cancer death rate about 35% higher than whites and the death rate for cancer in black men is almost 50% higher than white men. The death rate of lung cancer among blacks is about 27% higher than for whites. Also, the incidence rate for lung cancer in black men is 50% higher than in white men.

African Americans carry an uneven share of the cancer load in the United States, having the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers. In this article, I will provide updated data for African Americans on cancer rate, death, survival, and cancer screening. I also estimate the total number of deaths prevented among African Americans as a result of the decline in cancer death rates since the early 1990s.

* 31% of all male deaths under the age of 75 (48,000) are caused by cancer.

Scientists are sure there are many more they just have not yet been diagnosed. The cancers that are most common in women are breast cancer and cancer of the uterus. The cancers that are most common in men are lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Lung cancer kills more than 50,000 men a year. More men are likely to get lung cancer because in general men smoke more than women. Along with these leading cancers among women and men there are several other cancers that are common in both. Cancers of the colon, rectum, and large intestine kill more than 45,000 Americans a year (Altman and Sang 78). With numbers like that a person may begin to wonder if anyone survives the cancer

As stated previously in 2014 the USA had approximately 20.3 million people who were diagnosed with cancer. When exploring the 2013 incident rates of men with cancer black men had an incident rate of 518. Compared to white men of 473.9, next came Hispanic and Asian; black males had the highest death rate among all races (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016b). In regards to women, white women had an incident rate of 417.4, followed by blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, but the highest death rate is among black women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016b). According to the statistics the needs for increased screening and care is needed in the African American and Hispanic community.

Although African Americans have the same rate of incidence of cancer as Whites, African Americans commonly believe that they are less likely to have cancer. (Black Americans' Attitudes Toward Cancer and Cancer tests: Highlights of a study 212) This stems from the idea that cancer is a white person disease while diabetes and sickle anemia are black person diseases. “Beliefs about cancer may influence the perception of risk of developing the disease, and participation in screening programs” One’s beliefs are often developed from one’s culture. This cultural belief in addition to others, causes African Americans to be less likely to screen for cancer. As seen in a study about screening Colorectal Cancer, African American participants were less likely to screen for Colorectal Cancer due to the belief in cancer fatalism, which is to say that one will certainly die from cancer (Shavers, Brown 334). Lack of health literacy also contributed to disinterested in cancer screening, this lack of knowledge may stem from low SES that affects many African Americans or once again the disinterest in cancer as a disease that majorly affects black people. It is important to understand that African American culture to understand and therefore make screening more available to black people without fundamentally changing African American

The according to this article cancer is becoming a more prominent cause of death for Americans. Originally heart disease was the leading cause, however cancer over the past few years has claimed the number one spot. There is also an increase across ethnic groups. Cancer affects me directly because I am part African American and studies have shown that African Americans have a higher chance of developing some form of cancer. Although I do not know my biological family health background, it is something I will have to be conscious of in the future.

Meanwhile, in addition to the male's occupation, radiation exposure and age can lead to breast cancer developments ( National Cancer Institute, 2007). When these risk factors are revealed in a diagnoses of breast cancer, men have more advanced cancerous growths than women (Giordano, 2004). So men may think, how do I get breast cancer? Is it inherited?