Cancer Among Asian American Women: A Case Study

This will explore the role gender, ethnicity, race and socio-economics play in the acquisition, maintenance and experience of health care. A particular focus is the interaction (intersection) between these elements and their effect on awareness, education, active prevention and early detection of cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. Cancer is a disease caused by a mutation and rapid division of cells. Cancer is a general term describing many diseases; essentially there is a wide array of types of cancers. This vast differentiation makes it difficult to combat this disease and similarly the differences among individuals cause the course of this disease to vary greatly, cancer effects people differently. Breast cancer is one of the more well-known forms of cancer and is frequently touched upon or glazed over in discussion. A conversation may start with “I know someone who has or had cancer” but way to often this is where the conversation ends. The discussion on breast cancer needs to expand, to further the spread of information and understanding of the many aspects of this disease. “Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body” (What is Breast cancer). Breast cancer can be found in both male and female populations but it is particularly, prevalent among women, Breast cancer is the most pervasive

According to genetics and social science research there are striking differences between White and minority populations affected with breast cancer in the U.S. These disparities are likely due to a combination of cultural, environmental and genetic factors that differ between the groups. Historically, scientists have separately explored either the genetic or the social/behavioral contributions to cancer. The research team profiled in this case study takes the position that we cannot effectively grasp the complexity of cancer etiology, nor design appropriate

Asian Americans face health disparities in cancer, chronic diseases, hypertension, and diabetes, mental health, and among the elderly (Sy, n.d.). I wanted to focus on what one of the most leading cause of Asian Americans or Pacific Islander is Cancer. Asian Americans generally have lower cancer rates than the non-Hispanics white population. However, disparities still exist in the certain type of cancer. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Asians are 40 percent less likely to have prostate cancer as white men, but they are twice as likely to have stomach cancer. Although Asians women are 30 percent less likely to have breast cancer than white women, they are twice as likely to have stomach cancer. OHM also conclude that Asian men and women have 2.1 and 2.3 times the incidence of liver and IBD cancer as the non-Hispanic white population. Asian are twice as likely to die from stomach cancer as compared to the non-Hispanic white population, and Asian women are 2.4 times as likely to die from the same disease (Office of Minority Health,

“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

According to research, it has established that breast cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women despite them having a low incidence rate of breast cancer. It has attributed to the fact that most Hispanic women presents with advanced breast cancer at diagnosis, and thus is more likely to die from breast cancer compared with non-Hispanic white women. According to Banegas and Li (2012), an estimated number of 39510 breast cancer deaths in women occurred, and 226,870 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in the US. Among all these cases, Hispanic women

Beyond discussion of this lethal disease come the individuals affected by it. In the United States alone breast cancer is the most common cancer. It is diagnosed in one out of eight women living in the United States (Stephan, 2010). Victims of breast cancer usually are more widespread amongst minorities in the U.S. African-American women and Hispanic women are most likely to have advanced diseases

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women. Despite the many technological advances that have been made to detect breast cancer at earlier stages, it continues to kill more women than any other cancer. Breast cancer affects all women, but the mortality rates from it are significantly higher in Black women than any other group (Hunt, Whitman, & Hurlbert, 2013). These rates are especially concerning when considering that White women are diagnosed at much higher rates.

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

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

Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the cancer care needs of underserved community members in Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area. In 2002, it was established by a group of innovative and devoted community members, cancer survivors, and physicians who saw the need for culturally and linguistically tailored resources and services within the community. Since then, VACF has been fortunate enough to serve over 20,000 community members, including cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones, providing them with financial, medical, and social support. After 13 years of operations, VACF has grown to become an important and reputable health resource for the disadvantaged members of the community suffering from 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.

Mammography, the most effective method for detecting breast cancer at its early stages, can identify malignancies before they can be felt and before symptoms develop. According to the report, from 2000 to 2010, the percentage of women who received a mammogram decline for women from poor and low-income households and for non-Hispanic whites. Furthermore, women from poor, low-income, and middle-income households were less likely to receive a mammogram compared with women from high-income households. In National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR), among women ages 50-64, uninsured women were less likely to receive a mammogram compared with those with private insurance. The two main factors that serve as a barrier to early detection and cure for breast cancer are socio-economic status (no health insurance/poor access to healthcare) and lack of awareness of the importance of breast cancer screening. The impact of these factors is to the patients and their families is that frequently, breast cancer would be detected at an already advanced stage and the prognosis would be poor, leading to mortality. Cancer diagnosed early before spread has occurred are generally more amenable to treatment and cancers diagnosed late with extensive spread have poor prognoses. In these cases, treatment would just be of palliative in nature. Early detection through screening means early treatment and lower mortality

Sarah Boseley explains how white women have a high greater chance getting breast cancer than those blacks and south Asian women. The author mentions that women from ethnic groups such as "blacks," "whites," and "south Asian" being recruited from since 1996 to 2001. However, the large population who has breast cancer is white women. Analyzing the data from women's study at the University of Oxford, Boseley argues how women have a better chance to protect themselves, nevertheless by breastfeeding their babies and also to plan having a large family. Consequently, she also suggests all women's need advice from the Cancer Research Center in United Kingdom and these women are insensible of terrible disease. This sources urges us to understand significant

The South Asian community is the largest visible minority in Canada, representing 4.9% of Canada’s population in 2011 (Statistics Canada, 2011). Traditionally the South Asian population has been known for its spiced foods and lively atmosphere. Recently researchers have discovered the higher prevalence of certain medical conditions within the South Asian community, for example a high risk of cardiovascular disease in South Asian males and breast cancer within women of South Asian descent (CITE). Breast cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of cells, specifically within breast cells (CITE). Conventionally, a westernized approach has been applied to the treatment, prevention and outlook of breast cancer, which has not been affective

There are several types of cancer that are normally found in women, which include breast, cervical, ovarian, vaginal, and colon cancer. As a woman, you need to know the warning signs of each of those diseases to be able to prevent them from occurring. If you experience any of these symptoms and you suspect that you might have cancer, you should see a doctor immediately. Chances are, you might not have it, but it's better to be safe than sorry.