Health Disparities on Breast Cancer: African Americans vs. Whites

This report investigates the health disparities in breast cancer between African Americans and Whites, highlighting the importance of understanding these differences. It emphasizes the higher incidence, mortality, and challenges faced by African American women due to limited access to healthcare, lack of awareness, and socioeconomic factors. The report provides a detailed analysis of the issue, citing statistical data and research findings to support its arguments. It also explores the impact of these disparities on individuals, families, and society, emphasizing the economic and social consequences. Furthermore, the report proposes potential solutions, including increased awareness programs, educational initiatives, and improved access to healthcare facilities, such as mammography and breast self-examination education. The conclusion stresses the need for external support from breast cancer agencies through education and awareness programs to address and resolve these disparities, ultimately aiming to reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for all affected populations.

Running head: Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
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1Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
Introduction
Health disparity is a topic of great concern. It is essential for every human being
irrespective of place position and power to understand the term and the factors associated with it.
Health disparity refers to the difference in health conditions relative to different groups. It
denotes higher burden of disabilities or illness experienced by one group in comparison to some
other groups (Cheng & Mistry, 2019). Disparities can occur on various dimensions like caste,
race, status (social, economical and political), location, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age
and so on. Disparities matter a lot because it is not just about a particular group facing some sort
of health issues but actually a matter of cost and health care development across the population.
Discussion
Health disparities have number of impacts in the society. It is not just about an individual
but if a particular health issue is not being addressed properly, then it is carried down to their
children and then the society at large. Health is important for employment as well. If a poor
person is unable to access health supports because of poor financial condition then it will make
them sicker and poverty will creep into that person's family. Health disparities cost people more
than lives. It impacts economically (Howe & Robinson, 2018). Illness is like a fire in a forest. It
spreads at a very fast rate. If people all around get affected because of the negligence in health
issues, then the people in the world will become feeble enough to take the world ahead for
further progress and development (Miao & Wu, 2016). It is therefore necessary to understand
health disparities for a proper and permanent resolution. The paper deals with the disparities on
breast cancer condition between African Americans and Whites.

2Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
Breast cancer is a very serious condition that can be seen mostly in women. The advance
stages at the time of diagnosis and increasing cases of death, makes it important to understand
the disparities in breast cancer conditions. Both men and women are required to have knowledge
on the symptoms of breast cancer, why it is caused and what can be done for prevention. This
enables early detection of the condition and takes the necessary actions thereafter. Studies reveal
that most of the people are unaware about breast cancer conditions, which is generally because of
difference in social and economical status (Pearcy & Keppel, 2016). In the United States the
population is generally segregated as the African Americans and the Whites. Since the past there
has been extreme discrimination between the two groups, however the recent scenario is way
better than what it was earlier. People who are partially or ancestrally related to the Africans are
generally called as the African Americans or the Black Americans. The issues with health also
have a humungous difference. The blacks are generally found to be at a greater risk and suffer
from higher mortality and disability. Statistics show that the life expectancy for 65 years of has
increased 2.4 years in case of the white males as compared to 1.5 in case of the black males. In
case of white women it is around 3.1 years as compared to 2.5 years for the black. Cases of
breast cancers in case of the African Americans are higher as compared to the Whites (Frierson
et al., 2019). The black people usually get limited access to different type of facilities. Education
is one such issue. Most of the African Americans are unaware about the breast condition
symptoms and the causes for the same. The African American women face greater degree of risk
of serious health issues and disproportionate exposure to the carcinogens in breasts. Statistics
suggest that African women have 31% breast cancer mortality rate, which is the highest among
all the racial groups present in US. Women who are younger than 45 years of age have higher
incidence of breast cancer as compared to the whites (Mariotto et al., 2017). The African

3Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
American women are diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer most of the time. The lack of
knowledge and access to facilities are making them loose the opportunity to be at a safer
position. They cannot bear the cost of mammography and does not understand the concept of
breast self examination.
It is urgent to raise awareness and engage the health system and society in improving the
breast cancer awareness globally. Several health awareness programs have been set up. Breast
cancer educational programs for adolescents are to be organized by NGOs especially for the
African Americans. More education opportunities will promote intergenerational knowledge
transmission to different other groups. WHO stated education for both men and women so that
men can also understand and support their partners from the primary stage (Akram et al., 2017).
Opportunistic breast cancer awareness and screening programs will enable to know about the
various methods of cure. NGO and government support externally will help in reducing the
health disparities. Programs like Pink Ribbon Sunday and free checkups are now done
(McDonnell, Jonason & Christoffersen, 2017).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that health disparities or health inequality in simple terms has
acquired lot of importance from several health experts and physicians. There is a prevalence of
disparity in between the African American and the whites. This disparity can only be removed by
providing an external support by the breast cancer agencies through education and awareness
programs. There are a number of NGOs and institutions that are creating awareness and are
trying to resolve this condition.

4Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
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5Health disparities on Breast Cancer between African Americans and Whites
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