Lut 1 Task 1 Outline

Running Head: AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM BREAST CANCER

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African American Women Are More Likely To Die From Breast Cancer

Denise Blanchard

Student ID: 000239612

Western Governors University

August 20, 2012

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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.

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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 nonexistent. For at least the last 20 years low-income women and women of color have suffered greatly due to the absence of health insurance (Peek, 2007). B. A study performed between 1997 – 2006 concluded that nearly 84 percent of the underinsured population included a significant number of African American patients with the poorest breast cancer survival rates (Komenaka et al, 2010). C. Without health insurance African American women will continue to have the highest mortality rates among all races of the same gender. III. African American women are more often diagnosed with later stage breast cancer.

A. A major divide exists as it relates to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer for African American women. Recent studies indicate that not having had a

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mammogram for one to three years prior to diagnosis was associated with 52 percent of late-stage breast cancer cases (Taplin, 2004). B. One study revealed black women were more often found to have cancerous tumors that grew faster, were less responsive to therapy, and carried less than favorable mortality expectations (SEER, 2000). C. Late stage diagnosis among African American women is a major cause for concern as it is a catalyst for mortality. African American women who are diagnosed with late stage cancer are more likely to die. IV. In 1997 26 percent of the population of African American women was considered obese.

A. Obesity could possibly explain the mortality rate among African American women when it comes to breast cancer. (Jones et al, 1997). B. Between 50 and 66 percent of African American women are considered overweight (Pryor, 2011).

C. A high body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with an advanced stage of breast cancer at diagnosis (Cui et al, 2002). V. Conclusion

A. African American women are more like to die from breast cancer due to barriers like health insurance, late stage diagnosis, and obesity rates. B. Studies indicate the major causes for the high mortality rates among African American women as it relates to breast cancer can be treated. The introduction of health insurance for all Americans would address the absence of coverage. A campaign to increase accessibility to screening programs that includes transportation and even stipends would significantly increase the number of African

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American women who are screened annually. The continued campaign against obesity through education will certainly change the way African American women look at health, diet, and exercise.

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References

16 percent of Americans without health insurance. (n.d.). THE MEDICAL NEWS | from NewsMedical.Net - Latest Medical News and Research from Around the World. Retrieved March 11, 2012, from http://www.news-medical.net/news/20090722/16-percent-ofAmericans-without-health-insurance.aspx Bickell, N. A., Wang, J. J., Oluwole, S., Schrag, D., Godfrey, H., Hiotis, K., et al. (2006, March

20). Missed opportunities: racial disparities in adj... [J Clin Oncol. 2006] - PubMed NCBI. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved March 11, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16549830 Black/White Cancer Survival Study - SEER Landmark Studies. (n.d.). SEER Web Site. Retrieved

March 6, 2012, from http://seer.cancer.gov/studies/epidemiology/study16.html

Cui, Y., Whiteman, M. K., Langenberg, P., Sexton, M., Tkaczuk, K. H., Flaws, J. A., et al. (n.d.).

Can obesity explain the racial difference in stage of breast cancer at diagnosis between black and white women? [J Womens Health Gend Based Med. 2002 Jul-Aug] - PubMed - NCBI. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved March 12, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12225626 Jatoi, I., Anderson, W. F., Rao, S. R., & Devesa, S. S. (n.d.). Breast Cancer Trends Among Black and White Women in the United States. Journal of Clinical Oncology. Retrieved March 16, 2012, from http://jco.ascopubs.org/content /23/31/7836.full

Jones, B. A., Kasi, S. V., Curnen, M. G., Owens, P. H., & Dubrow, R. (n.d.). Severe obesity as

an explanatory factor for t... [Am J Epidemiol. 1997] - PubMed - NCBI. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved March 10, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9290499

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Komenaka, I., Martinez, M. E., Jr., R. P., Hsu, C., Clare, S. E., Thompson, P. A., et al. (n.d.).

Race and Ethnicity and Breast Cancer Outcomes in an Underinsured Population . Oxford Journals | Medicine | JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst. Retrieved March 10, 2012, from http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/102/15/1178.full Taplin, S. (2004, October 19). Large Portion of Late-Stage Breast Cancers Associated With Absence of Screening. National Cancer Institute at the Institutes of Health. Retrieved March 7, 2012, from www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/2004/latestagebreast Peek, M. E. (n.d.). Education for Health Journal - View Article. Education for Health Journal.

Retrieved March 12, 2012, from http://www.educationforhealth.net/

articles/subviewnew.asp?ArticleID=52

Pryor, D. (n.d.). Breast Cancer: Be Ye Not Afraid! | BlackWomensHealth.com is the premier online destination for health and wellness resources for and about African American women and their families. Black Women 's Health | BlackWomensHealth.com is the premier online destination for health and wellness resources for and about AfricanAmerican women and their families. Retrieved March 11, 2012, from http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/blog/breast-cancer-be-ye-not-afraid Pryor, D. (n.d.). Losing Weight for Better Health | BlackWomensHealth.com is the premier online destination for health and wellness resources for and about African American women and their families. Black Women 's Health | BlackWomensHealth.com is the premier online destination for health and wellness resources for and about AfricanAmerican women and their families. Retrieved March 11, 2012, from http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/blog/losing-weight-for-better-health Wolf, R. (n.d.). Number of uninsured Americans rises to 50.7 million - USATODAY.com. News,

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Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Retrieved March 9, 2012, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/ 2010-09-17uninsured17_ST_N.htm

References: March 6, 2012, from http://seer.cancer.gov/studies/epidemiology/study16.html     Retrieved March 12, 2012, from http://www.educationforhealth.net/