Introduction
The integrated review is focused on the role of several essential factors in the normal biological functioning of organ systems in a selected population. Specifically, the paper aims to determine the effects of nutrition and lifestyle on breast cancer development in black women. The link between relatively low or unstable socioeconomic positions and the probability of maintaining a healthy lifestyle constitutes a major problem nowadays. Some families are unable to provide the essential nutritional components in their meal plans, along with busy schedules and minimal sports activities implemented. In the end, such routines can significantly impact a person’s health, including the development of serious conditions such as cancer. Hence, the paper will inevitably address factors beyond those of biological and medical importance. With consideration of the mentioned variables and target population, the research question can be formulated: what is the effect of nutrition and lifestyle maintained on breast cancer development in black women?
Scope and Significance of the Problem
Prior to answering the question, the scope and significance of the problem must be discussed with reference to existing research. First of all, existing research emphasizes an increasing pattern of cancer cases in various populations in the country (Bandera et al., 2021). Furthermore, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women aged 20-50 years (Iacoviello et al., 2021). The statistic explains the significance of specifically reviewing women with the issue of breast cancer. At the same time, recent investigations have been designed to review minority groups as the target populations to decrease ethnic minority disparity (Bandera et al., 2021). Ultimately, the scope of the review constitutes two main variables related to the population’s ethnic and gender category, as well as the specified medical condition. Further exploration of the research question will cover the definition of variables and their significance in the issue.
Review of the Variables
As previously mentioned, the research question investigates the effect of the independent variable on the dependent. In this case, the independent variables are the factors that are manipulated and varied to test their impact on the dependent variable. Hence, the nutrition and lifestyle of the target population were measured differently depending on the study. The dependent variable comprises the impacted aspect of the affected concepts of an investigation, in this case, breast cancer development.
Both quantitative and qualitative investigations additionally include control variables that are essential in concentrating the effect of the independent variable on the dependent by also showing an unaffected condition. While the quantitative methodology is usually required in cancer treatment and prevention investigations, not all existing studies on the topic rely on such methods. Sufficient information regarding the independent variable can be gathered through qualitative strategies, for example, interviews and surveys on women’s health habits and routines.
Application of the Concepts to the Research Problem
As the main points concerning the research question have been covered, it is now important to apply the material to the analysis of relevant studies. Bandera et al. (2021) aimed to outline the research conducted for diverse populations in preventing and treating both cancer and obesity (Bandera et al., 2021). While the exploration is primarily focused on highlighting any ethnic disparities present in the modern health system, the independent variable remains the same for all reviewed populations, including the number of healthy lifestyle patterns of the participants. The study accentuates the same significance of highlighting health implications in minorities, yet there is no direct implication of including black women in the category.
Moreover, another study demonstrates a more concrete approach to the problem raised in this paper. Parada et al. (2020) provided insight into the effect of various lifestyle patterns, including several dietary plans, on the survival of women diagnosed with breast cancer (Parada et al., 2020). The researchers referred to qualitative methodology to determine the participants’ vital status depending on their health habits (Parada et al., 2020). Consequently, the five behavioral and dietary categories served as the independent variables, as their effect on the possible hazard ratios, the dependent variables, was measured (Parada et al., 2020). In the end, the study can be outlined as a crucial source for a paper that focuses on breast cancer awareness in minorities.
Ultimately, Mahmoud & Tayyem (2020) prioritized breast cancer prevention by suggesting the implementation of proper diets and sufficient exercise before being diagnosed. Similar to the previous cases, the study can be used to partially answer the research question in relation to the effects of nutrition and lifestyle on breast cancer development, although the target population is not specified in this case. Most importantly, the researchers incorporate the specific measurements of the independent variable in dietary plans, macro-and micro-nutrient consumption, smoking, physical exercise, and others (Mahmoud & Tayyem, 2020). Therefore, the investigation provides sufficient information regarding the expression of variables for the reviewed breast cancer issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper has outlined the significance of breast cancer awareness in black women populations. The discussion of the different variables present in the research question aided in understanding the scope and purpose of the issue. Moreover, several studies could be analyzed to showcase the use of variables in empirical investigations and the different ways they can be formulated. Lastly, the outline also emphasized the relevancy of the topic in the modern national health system.
References
Bandera, E. V., Alfano, C. M., Qin, B., Kang, D. W., Friel, C. P., & Dieli-Conwright, C. M. (2021). Harnessing nutrition and physical activity for breast cancer prevention and control to reduce racial/ethnic cancer health disparities. American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book, 41, 62-78.
Iacoviello, L., Bonaccio, M., de Gaetano, G., & Donati, M. B. (2021). Epidemiology of breast cancer, a paradigm of the “common soil” hypothesis. In Seminars in cancer biology, Academic Press, 72, 4-10.
Mahmoud, R. I., & Tayyem, R. F. (2020). Dietary and Lifestyle Factors and Breast Cancer Risk. Current Nutrition & Food Science, 16(3), 251-259. Web.
Parada Jr, H., Sun, X., Tse, C. K., Olshan, A. F., & Troester, M. A. (2019). Lifestyle patterns and survival following breast cancer in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study.Epidemiology, 30(1), 83.