Understanding and effectively addressing breast cancer in African American women: Unpacking the social context.

Journal: Cancer

Volume: 122

Issue: 14

Year of Publication: 2017

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts. School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, Washington. Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities, Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

Abstract summary 

Black women have a higher incidence of breast cancer before the age of 40 years, more severe disease at all ages, and an elevated mortality risk in comparison with white women. There is limited understanding of the contribution of social factors to these patterns. Elucidating the role of the social determinants of health in breast cancer disparities requires greater attention to how risk factors for breast cancer unfold over the lifecourse and to the complex ways in which socioeconomic status and racism shape exposure to psychosocial, physical, chemical, and other individual and community-level assaults that increase the risk of breast cancer. Research that takes seriously the social context in which black women live is also needed to maximize the opportunities to prevent breast cancer in this underserved group. Cancer 2016;122:2138-49. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Authors & Co-authors:  Williams David R DR Mohammed Selina A SA Shields Alexandra E AE

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  DeSantis CE, Fedewa SA, Goding Sauer A, Kramer JL, Smith RA, Jemal A. Breast cancer statistics, 2015: Convergence of incidence rates between black and white women. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2016;66(1):31–42.
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1002/cncr.29935
SSN : 1097-0142
Study Population
Women
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
African American women;breast cancer;race;socioeconomic status (SES);stress
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States