...Breast Cancer Name: Institution: Breast Cancer Cancer is the most common global cause of death, which raises serious public concern. According to a new analysis by American Cancer Society researchers, breast cancer prevalence rates rose to some extent among African American women from 2006 to 2010, resulting to rates closer to the historically higher rates among white women. However, it is unclear as to why there has been such a high increase, thus researchers have placed a lot of effort to find out about this disparity (National Cancer Institute, 2005). The most alarming breast cancer health disparities is that African American have a lower likelihood of breast cancer incidence as compared to the native American counterparts, yet they have a greater death rate with breast cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2005). The most alarming report from the National breast cancer report; the breast cancer mortality rate for women aged between 45--64 years was 60% higher for African American women than white women (56.8 and 35.6 deaths per 100,000, respectively). The rising breast cancer disparities observed between African American women and white women sound the alarm. Even though the general life span risk of breast cancer is lower for African Americans unlike with white women, the mortality rates are much higher. African American women also have a lesser 5 year survival rate at 77%, contrast to the 90% for white women. Differing...
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...Running Head: AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM BREAST CANCER 1 African American Women Are More Likely To Die From Breast Cancer Denise Blanchard Student ID: 000239612 Western Governors University August 20, 2012 AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM BREAST CANCER 2 Research suggests African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer because of their lack of health insurance, late stage diagnosis, and their rate of obesity. AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM BREAST CANCER 3 Outline I. Introduction A. African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than any other race of the same gender. B. African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer because of the lack of health insurance, late stage diagnosis, and their rate of obesity. 1. In 2009 it was reported that 1 in every 6 Americans was without health insurance (News-Medical.net, 2009). 2. African American women are often diagnosed with later stage breast cancer. 3. African American women are 26 percent more likely to be obese. II. The absence of health insurance is barrier for African American women. A. The absence of insurance leaves low-income women open to a higher rate of mortality since regular breast cancer screenings are almost...
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...was not good? What if one of the women in your family became ill with one of the most uprising and terminal illnesses. Most of us, when thinking of the future do not take into account the idea of becoming ill. Today, this is indeed an issue that needs attention as early in life as possible. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. (Breast Cancer Research Foundation Women are not the only ones affected by breast cancer; males are also affected as well. Male breast cancer is very rare. Less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men, and only 1 in 1,000 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Men chances are less risky than woman when compared against each other. (National Breast Cancer Foundation INC.) Self-examinations are the most frequently used tests used for detecting breast cancer among women today. The self-exam is a simple exam that women can perform on their own with a few simple steps. Another way of detecting breast cancer is with a mammography. Mammography is an X-ray that scans and shows whether there are tumors. This type of X-ray is the most effective type of detection to date. The most common breast cancers are invasive, or infiltrating. These cancers have broken through the ductal or glandular walls where they originated and grown into surrounding breast tissue. In2013, an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer will have an effect among women, as well as an estimated 64,640 additional...
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...disparities between African American women and other races in regard to the incidences of and mortality from breast cancer are alarming. Studies have shown that minority communities are less likely to take advantage of preventative and detection care like breast cancer screening. Other studies find that a number of factors, outside of race and ethnicity play a role in this. Ultimately, approaching the topic from a holistic understanding and acknowledgement of the ways in which a person’s full background influence their values, beliefs, and decisions and present barriers to action – cultural sensitivity, namely – is essential to reversing these disparities. In “African-American Women, Self-Breast Examination and the Health Belief Model: Implications for Practice,” author Josephine McCaskill, PhD., APN, FNP, BC examines the fact that African American women, despite having lower incidence rates of breast cancer have a higher mortality rate, and the fact that findings show that “the adherence to recommended breast cancer screening guidelines is frequently reported to be lower in the African American population” (McCaskill p. 33). McCaskill begins by discussing the epidemiology of breast cancer, noting that it is “the most common form of cancer, resulting in significant deaths among African American women.” She discusses its origins, cell growth, and disparities among populations. Particularly, among women who are ages fifty and older, the mortality rate for African American’s is...
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...how to be sensitive to different cultures as their patients will come from different backgrounds and viewpoints. Without sensitivity, a nurse cannot properly fulfill their job as a caregiver. Authors P.D. Henderson, S.V. Gore, and B.L. Davis (2003) focus on the African American women population in relation to breast cancer recovery. This is an important topic within cultural sensitivity not only because it focuses on the female population on their coping with breast cancer, but it also focuses specifically on African American women. I found this research article as an excellent exploration of the patient population as it discusses the varying coping strategies used by African American women. As nurses learn about these coping strategies, they can better assist this specific population. Henderson and his colleagues set out to determine the way in which African American cope with breast cancer. The authors specified that they approached this research believing that this population may very well cope similarly to breast cancer as other cultures, but their goal was to determine if there were differences. Their study involved 66 African American women located in the United States who were diagnosed with breast cancer (Pg. 641). Interviews were performed with each individual participant and data from the interview was tape-recorded. A qualitative analysis was then performed on the data to determine patterns in coping strategies. As I read about the authors’ approach to the research...
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...Breast Cancer: What is it? The Statistics: Breast cancer incidence in women in the United States is 1 in 8 (about 13%). In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 62,280 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. About 1,990 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2008. Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases occur in men. Following a 20-year increase in breast cancer incidence rates in women, 1999-2006 saw these rates decrease by 2%. One theory is that this decrease was due to the reduced use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by women after the results of a large study, called the Women’s Health Initiative, were published in 2002. These results suggested a connection between HRT and increased breast cancer risk. About 40,170 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2009 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness. For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer besides lung cancer. Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women. More than 1 in 4 cancers are breast cancer. Compared...
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...Maria Pianka Meredith LeDoux Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. Breast cancer is a kind of cancer where cells grow out of control in the breast. The breast is the first site of cancer but overtime, the cells can spread to other parts of the body. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that can grow into surrounding tissues or spread to other areas of the body. Breast cancer can occur in both women and men, even though there is only a 1% chance for men to be diagnosed with breast cancer. (The American Cancer Society) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that there is a few different types of breast cancers and the most common types are Ductal Carcinoma and Lobular...
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...Sonya Dakers Eng215 Strayer University Healths disparities in the African American community are nearly double that of any other ethnic group in South Carolina. The reasons may be lack of health care availability or maybe the lack of knowledge. Many African Americans have the mindset that what we do not know will not harm us, but what we do not know will kill us. It is important to realize that the need for prevention is great. Breast and Prostate Cancer screening programs, educational programs that show the effects of second hand smoke on our community and the importance of nutrition are desperately needed. This paper will argue the reasons why more African American faith based organizations should become involved in the health and well-being of their participants. The intended audience is Pastors, Bishops, Deacons, and congregations’ in general. Some believe that God made us in His image so we should not only focus on the spiritual aspect of worship but also on the physical aspects as well. A Pastor once said that an unhealthy member cannot focus on tithing or on God’s business because they are focusing on their own agenda. The African American faith based community must come together to eliminate health disparities not only to help their congregations to focus on the spiritual, but to become better people in an ever growing global economy. Recent studies show the effects of dieases on the general population...
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...Breast Cancer Amber Whitted COM/156 March 9, 2014 John Garot Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a rising concern with men and women in the United States, but with the right treatment and knowledge many lives have been saved. It has many forms and a possibility of growing rapidly. Do you know the signs and the treatment options that are available? Know these can save your life or a loved one’s life, as well. There are steps that you can take to lower your risk for breast cancer.” In 2013, according to the American Cancer Society there will be an estimated 299,200 new cases of breast cancer among men and women, and approximately 39,620 women are expected to die, and about 410 men will die. The five year relative survival rate for breast cancer patients has improved from 75% in the mid1970s to 90% today. Death rates have continued to decline since 1990. (American Cancer Society, 2013). Men are at a low risk for developing breast cancer. “The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2014, about 2,360 men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and about 430 of those men will die. Breast cancer is 100 times less common for men than women” (American Cancer Society, 2013). However, breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in the United States, accounting for 29% of newly diagnosed cases. White women have a higher incidence rate than African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians, although, African Americans have the highest mortality...
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...Because patients associate cancer with a death sentence the fear and anxiety barrier kicks in preventing individuals from scheduling and maintaining an appointment with a primary care provider to discuss possible treatment options. The fear of the unknown and the dreaded call from the primary care provider about a cancer diagnosis prevents individuals from scheduling and maintaining appointments to find out about their current health status. Fear and anxiety can also interfere with individuals becoming aware or knowledgeable about risks, symptoms, and treatment options as it relates to breast cancer. As stated before, for some individuals it is better not to know because that is one less thing they have to worry about, in other words “out of sight, out of...
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...part of American society. The social inequality in America, in part, can be attributed to the relationship between the perceived “superior/normal” and the perceived “inferior/abnormal.” For instance, in race relations, Whites (non-Hispanic) are considered the norm; in gendered issues, the male is dominant. Additionally, many of these issues are interrelated and interdependent. The inequities invade the home, the work place, the school, and the hospital, among other places because they invade all of the interactions humans have with each other. Therefore, it follows that social inequalities would affect...
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...Independent variable-knowledge and attitudes as measured by face to face interviews with closed end questions, reasons for non adherence (Doctor didn’t recommend it), belief statements about breast cancer, depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale No Intervention/ questionnaire only 2. Farmer et al: Cross-sectional survey Dependent variable-increasing mammography adherence to screening within last 12 months Independent variable-Questionnaires, questions designed to elucidate perceptions of beliefs and barriers to screening, susceptibility and seriousness of breast cancer, knowledge of screening guidelines. Social support, cancer fatalism, dispositional optimism, perceptions of general health, screening guidelines. No Intervention/ questionnaire only 3. Levy-Storms: Cross-sectional survey Dependent variable- three levels of nonadherence; Never had a mammogram (never), more than 2 years ago (lapsed), in the last 1-2 years (due) Independent variable- based on self report; demographics, knowledge (of risk factors and screening guidelines), beliefs (perceived norms, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and perceived efficacy of early detection and mammography), psychological (concern about pain and about finding breast cancer) and access barriers (not in a health maintenance organization (HMO), regular checkup, transportation difficulties, cost, and difficulty making an appointment), referral from a provider,...
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...CANCER INFORMATION PAPER HCA/240 CANCER INFORMATION PAPER The paper will reflect on breast cancer, A breast is made up of three main parts: glands, ducts, and connective tissue. The glands produce milk. The ducts are passages that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) connects and holds everything together I will talk about the cause and risk factors of breast cancer, ways to try to prevent and how to get early detection. I will be speaking about the effects of your health related to breast cancer as well as treatment options for breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women all over the world. Breast cancer does not discriminate of race or ethnics. In reading this paper, you will see that more than 502,000 women are killed in a year from breast cancer. In 2007, more than 47,000 women died from breast cancer. Unfortunately, there are some risk factors for breast cancer that are not under your control, but learning as much as you can about them is something that should be taken into consideration. Cause and Risk Factors for Breast Cancer While we do not yet know exactly what causes breast cancer, we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. A risk factor is something that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, drinking, and diet are linked...
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...Symptoms Breast Cancer Breast Cancer The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A mass that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can even be painful. For this reason, it is important to have any new breast mass or lump, or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases. Other possible signs of breast cancer include: * Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt) * Skin irritation or dimpling * Breast or nipple pain * Nipple retraction (turning inward) * Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin * A nipple discharge other than breast milk Facts * The older a woman, the more likely she is to get breast cancer * Young women can get breast cancer, even in their 20s * White women are more likely to get breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group * African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A mass that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can even be painful. For this reason, it is important to have any new breast mass or lump, or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases...
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...concentration in cancer epidemiology at Georgetown due to my work experience in public health and clinical research. Since I graduated Wellesley College, I gained statistical analysis experience and research operations which will help me design effective epidemiology studies in the future. Before my job at UCLA in 2014, I learned from my experiences that research is an iterative process through conducting interviews, developing a quality of life instrument, managing research studies, and publishing an article. However, my experience working with cancer immunotherapy trials at UCLA from 2014-2016 sparked my interest in cancer epidemiology. My work at UCLA helped me to craft a new vision for my career that included oncology and ultimately cancer epidemiology. My favorite parts the job was listening to the clinical trial sponsor and the PI discuss the background and clinical significance of the protocol and the design of the clinical trial. Also, I enjoyed hearing guest speakers from other universities discuss their research findings. At a talk I attended, a professor discussed a large epidemiological study that collected genetic information for women of African descent with breast cancer. This is when I learned that African-American...
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