Case Study 2: What Race Has To Do With Breast Cancer

Case Study 2: What Race Has to Do with Breast Cancer
Health disparities among difference race groups continue to be a public health concern. Some races have higher chances of being diagnosed to certain types of serious health conditions as opposed to others. In the United States, African-American women continue to have the highest rates of breast cancer, and at higher risk of being diagnosed at a more advance stage of breast cancer. Although, research has demonstrated that biology and genes can put an individual at a higher risk of cancer, researchers are now identifying outside factors that are affecting many more women. For example, an article released by Time “What Race Has to Do with Breast Cancer” social and culture factors, such as social economic status, can greatly determine the health risk outcome. Women attaining lower incomes are more likely to experience the worst outcomes when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Hence, studies have demonstrated that African American women are 40% to 70% risk of being diagnosed with stage 4

For example, according to the racial-genetic model health disparities are explained in terms of the individual’s genetics. Hence, African American women are at higher risk for breast cancer. However, even though through primary prevention efforts such as breast cancer awareness campaigns and other forms of education, women living below the poverty line are still at high risk.
Primary prevention is the best approach in order to increase quality of life and prolong life. If low income individuals had easier access to health care, then maybe they would prevent from being diagnosed at a tertiary stage of breast cancer. However, many other barriers may affect women. Such as transportation, not having the income to afford expensive treatment, or not having the social support to withstand the severity of the