Breast Biology And Susceptibility Of Cancer

The incidence of cancer is higher in Black Americans, both men and women, than non-Hispanic Whites. Men are more likely to have lung, pancreatic and stomach cancer. They are more likely to die from prostate cancer. Black African American women are 36% more likely to die from breast cancer.

“Cancer” is the name for a group of diseases that start in the body at the cellular level. Even though there are many different kinds of cancer, they all begin with abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These abnormal cells lump together to form a mass of tissue or “malignant tumor”. Malignant means that it can spread to other parts of the body or Metastasize . If the breast is the original location of the cancer growth or malignant tumor, the tumor is called breast cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2014, as cited in cbcf.org)

Declining cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States have continued through the first decade of the twenty-first century. However, Black Americans continue to have the higher cancer mortality rates and shorter survival times. This review discusses and compares only breast and prostate cancer mortality rates and mortality trends for Blacks and Whites. The complex relationship between socioeconomic status and race and its contribution to racial cancer disparities is discussed.

“African Americans have the highest death rate form all cancer sites combined and from malignancies of the lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, female breast, prostate, and cervix of all racial or ethnic groups in the United States (Elizabeth ward, 2004). The health disparities in African Americans and other racial groups are alarming. For this essay I choose to focus on the empirical facts on the disparities between African American women and European American women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and the disparity in mortality rates. Therefore many of the studies I found linked the disparity to race, poverty and environmental factors. American cancer society estimates, that in 2017 there will be 252,710 new breast cancer diagnosis

Over the past decade breast cancer has become one of the most predominant diseases in the United States. Breast cancer starts out as a malignant tumor in the tissues of the breast which is formed from the uncontrolled growth of abnormal breast cells. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in men. (Stephan, 2010)

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.

Every Woman Matters is a federally-funded program that works on early screening for breast and cervical cancer. Despite the barriers number of screening is significant increases in several of the practices. More strategies need to add to make the program for effective and reach under served and uninsured women.

We have all seen the pink ribbons. They have become a national, if not international symbol for breast cancer support and awareness. Breast cancer knows neither racial boundaries nor age restrictions. Females of all ages and ethnicities can develop breast cancer and it is the leading most common cancer among women. Calling attention to this often fatal disease is important by supporting its victims, families and friends of victims, as well as raising funds for breast cancer research. Though males are not immune from developing a breast cancer, for the purposes of this paper, this paper will be limited to information relating breast cancer in females.

Early detection of breast and cervical cancer reduced the burden of disease in women. The practices of Screening shown reduce the level of mortality and improve quality of life. The Every Woman Matters (EWM)stared in 1992 it is a federally-funded program designed to remove barrier to early screening by providing awareness and make screening more financially accessible to woman who have limited or no health insurance. The eligible women receive pay for office visits with associated clinical breast examination, pelvic examination, Papanicolaou smear test, and lab fees (Backer et al., 2004). Age-appropriate mammography and limited number of diagnostic test is also covered under program. In this paper I will

The U.S. Dept.of Health and Human Services operate care centers for uninsured Americans, fees are charged based on income. Uninsured patients should find a community health center near them. Health fairs offers screening exams at a much lower costs than at typical medical facility, no prescription or physicians’ order is necessary for an appointment. HealthFair mobile units offer free or low-cost healthcare solutions to qualifying patients. Any participating medical facility, such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes, is obligated to provide a designated amount of free healthcare or at greatly reduced cost each year. For the uninsured women, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program delivers free or low-cost mammograms and pap smears, all 50 states offer this program, providing early detection and treatment services for breast and cervical cancers. Planned Parenthood offers support with ACA issues, such as determining whether you are eligible for Medicaid or assisting you with a health plan purchase on the Marketplace. Mini clinics treat uninsured patients who can pay cash, some accept Medicaid. Preventive care is proven to be the best way to lower overall healthcare

Breast cancer is a popular disease that many people are afraid of. It is the growth of altered genes that create malignant tumors starting in a female or male’s breast tissue. Cancer has a reputation of being caused by hormones, but that may not always be the case. Hormones are chemicals that work as chemical messengers in the body and affect the duties of cells and tissues. The ovaries in premenopausal and postmenopausal women usually produce the hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. The hormone estrogen develops and maintains the female sex features and progesterone have to do with women 's menstrual cycle and pregnancy. In a breast cancer cell, it

This semester I enrolled Biology 101 course with Dr. Smith-Pearson. One of our assignments this semester was an outside of the classroom volunteer project. For this project I was selected to participate in the Tri- Beta Breast Cancer Walk. As participants, we had to do several things to prepare for the volunteer event including a learning session. During this session, we learned exactly what breast cancer is, the different types, and the main causes. I further learned about breast cancer through a scientific aspect in my biology class. We learned that cancer is when cells are over actively reproduced, which is caused by a mutation in the cell cycle and suppresses our bodies ability to function normally to stop this. Also, we learned about some of the different subtypes of breast cancer like, HER2+ (ER-), Basal-Like (Triple Negative Breast Cancer), Normal-Like, Luminal A, and Luminal B. HER2+ (ER-) breast cancer is less common, but it is very aggressive. HER2 is a gene in our bodies that produces receptor proteins, which are responsible for regulating the growth and repair of breast cells. When these HER2 receptor proteins are expressed too much, it causes excessive reproduction of breast cells. It is thought that African Americans have a higher risk for this type. Basal-Like, or more commonly called, Triple Negative Breast Cancer is very aggressive, usually the most aggressive. Basal-like means that the ways the cells look with this cancer resemble cells that line

According to the American Cancer Society, Each year, more than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer; furthermore Twelve percent of all women will contract the disease, and 3.5% of them will die from breast cancer (American Cancer Society, 2005). There are risk factors that may lead to breast cancer. There are 4 stages of breast cancer and several treatments, although treatments vary from types and stages of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women who are 40 to 55 years old (Breast Cancer, 2009).Cancer occurs when cells divide uncontrollably. It changes from a normal cell to cancerous cells that require gene alterations. Therefore the altered genes and the uncontrolled growth may lead to tumors.

Despite these difficulties, researchers have reported the benefits of health screening. The most recognised benefit according to Durojaiye (2009) is that it is effective in reducing morbidity and mortality from disease by detecting it before symptoms occur. A report in 2006 by the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening showed that screening saves 1,400 lives a year in England. In Australia, the age-standardized breast cancer mortality rate in women of all ages declined significantly from 28 per 100,000 women in 1996 to 24 per 100,000 in 2005. Mortality from breast cancer among women aged 50-69 was reported to have declined from 62 deaths per 100,000 in 1996 to 52 deaths per 100,000 in 2005 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2008) . The screening of pregnant women to identify and intervene early with risks to their health and that of their babies are associated with improved health status among high-risk populations (Durojaiye, 2009). The idea of screening therefore is to prevent, not to cure. Wardle & Pope (1992) state that screening is the second best prevention option, but one which provides the best chance of saving lives in our present state of knowledge. It may also provide welcome reassurance especially to many women that they do not have cancer. If the screening consultations are used wisely, an

Despite the difficulty, researchers have reported the benefits of screening. The most recognized benefit of health screening according to Durojaiye, (2009) is it’s effectiveness in reducing morbidity and mortality from disease by detecting it before symptoms occur. A report in 2006, by the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening, shows that screening saves 1,400 lives a year in England. In Australia, The age-standardized breast cancer mortality rate in women of all ages declined significantly from 28 per 100,000 women in 1996 to 24 per 100,000 in 2005. Mortality from breast cancer among women aged 50-69 was reported to have declined from 62 deaths per 100,000 in 1996 to 52 deaths per 100,000 in 2005 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2008) . Evidence also suggests that a reduction in death rates of around 95% is possible in the long-term with cervical cancer screening. The screening of pregnant women to identify and intervene early with risks to their health and that of their babies are associated with improved health status among high-risk populations (Durojaiye, 2009). The idea of screening therefore is to prevent, not to cure. Pope (1992), stats that screening is the second best option, but one which