How do cultural differences affect breast cancer prevalence, prevention, and treatment in African-American, Hispanic/Latina, and Caucasian women livin

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

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

African American women are diagnosed with breast cancer at a rate of one-in-ten. Caucasian women see a rate of 1-in-8 however, 1-in-31 African American women are found die from their illness where 1-in-37 Caucasian die from breast cancer (ASPCS, 2014). These numbers are

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

Disparities of all kinds exist in modern day health care. One such disparity that is of particular interest is one that exists between Caucasian and African American women relating to their respective rates of breast cancer incidence and breast cancer survival. According to the American Cancer Society, Caucasian women have a higher incidence of breast cancer than African American women however; Caucasian women have a higher survival rate than African American women (ACS, 2006, as cited in Leshner, 2006). This is to say that although Caucasian woman have a higher rate of breast cancer compared to African American women, Caucasian women have a higher rate of survival. This finding is indeed a disparity in heath care, and one that begs the question as to why this is so. The reasons as to why this disparity exists are numerous and very complex. Several factors play a role in substantiating the disparity in mortality rates related to breast cancer in African American women, including differences in spirituality and religion, differences in education surrounding breast cancer, and differences in socio economic standing as it relates to ones health promotion

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.

In current and past studies it has been found that African-American women are most likely than all other women to die from breast cancer. Their tumors are often found at later, more advanced stages. Being that the cancer is found in later stages it eliminates some if not all the treatments that can possibly get rid of the cancer.

In 2010, 14,045 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed among females in Florida and 2,824 females died from it ("Florida Department of Health," n.d.). The incidence and mortality rates were higher among females 65 years of age and older than among females less than 65 years of age. Of all breast cancer cases diagnosed in Florida during 2010, 35.2% were diagnosed at an advanced stage. Florida takes a comprehensive approach in implementing cancer control efforts to reduce disparities, morbidity, and mortality associated with this disease ("Florida Department of Health," n.d.). The Florida Cancer Plan includes 4 goals of addressing the state’s cancer control structure; cancer prevention; diagnosis, treatment and access to cancer care; and cancer

Generally speaking, throughout the United States, Cancer is a public health concern that has a significant impact amongst both men and women. At the same time, Breast Cancer indicates development of a tumor from cells in the breast known as a malignant tumor. Breast Cancer can begin at two different points, either the cells of the lobules, that are milk-producing glands, or the ducts, a channel draining milk from the lobule to the nipple (“What is Breast Cancer,” 2016). Specifically speaking about Breast Cancer among women, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016), it is the most common cancer, regardless of ethnicity or race. Under those

African American’s experience with cancer treatment is different than other ethnicities in the treatments they choose and how the treatments ultimately work. “Although breast-conserving surgery rates have increased among African American women, they still lag behind utilization rates of white women” (Shaver, Brown 339) Although black women choosing mastectomy over breast-conserving may be culturally relative, there are clear quality of life improvements for those who chose breast conserving surgery. (Shaver, Brown 339) If so, then why do African American women choose mastectomy more often? A possible reason can be a lack of knowledge concerning breast cancer and its treatments. Going back to the idea that viewing cancer as a white person’s disease will lead to a lack of interest in learning about cancer. Another aspect to treatment is rejecting treatment all together. It has been shown that “older blacks prefer the use of self-help treatment rather than medical treatments” (Goodwin et al 978) The preference for self-help treatment stems from religious ideologies. Treatment of cancer is directly related to how likely someone will be able survive cancer. Some treatments are proven to be more effective than others yet African American women “had shorter overall survival and disease free survival than white women who received similar adjacent chemotherapy rates.” (Shavers, Brown 338) This difference in prognosis after

II. A) Cdc.gov (2012) indicates, breast cancer is treated in several ways. It is depended on the kind of cancer and how far along it has spread. Treatment included surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and radiation.

Breast Cancer affects one in eight of American women, and is the second most common cause of cancer death in America. I chose to write my term paper on breast cancer because it is a disease that has effected some members of my family. Due to this possibly inherited condition, I felt that researching the topic would help me learn ways to prevent the disease and educate myself to perform self-exams that may result in early detection.

Breast cancer accounts for one third of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States (Cauley, et al., 2007). The first sign in the process of this disease is a lump that forms around the breasts. For this reason, it is necessary to get the yearly mammograms once a woman reaches a certain age. Also, monthly self-examinations can aid in finding breast cancer early. If this condition is found early enough, chances of survival are abundant. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50 with 86% of the deaths occurring in this age group (Cauley, et al., 2007). Postmenopausal women have a higher risk for breast cancer, because the risk increases when levels of endogenous estradiol rise (Cauley, et al., 2007). Breast cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in women. This epidemic has a higher incidence rate among white women than in African American women, but African American women have a higher mortality rate (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010). White women are more apt to develop this disease than any other ethnicity. However, in women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010).