Breast Cancer in Afro- and Euro-Americans Research Paper

Research question

What factors predict the quality of life for breast cancer-stricken African American and Euro-American women?

It is seen that although AA women have a lower propensity to contract breast cancer as compared to EA women, their death rate from this disease is higher. (African American women and breast cancer: Should everyone be treated the same? Does one size fit all?. (n.d)).

The main aspect is that AA women usually contract cancer, usually of high grade, fast-growing type, at a younger age, when compared to EA, and this may be attributable to socio-economic, environmental, lifestyle and diet factors. It could also be seen that the prognosis of the disease may also be late, which may be cause for aggravation and possibly delay in onset of treatment. (Amend, Hicks, & Ambrosone, 2006).

Identification of population

Research has provided that between 1998 to 2002, EA women had a higher age-adjusted breast cancer incidence rate, seen as 143 per 100,000 as against 119 per 100,000.

It is seen that in the age group of more than 50 years, EA was more at risk of contracting cancer, as compared to AA. This is seen as 397 per 100,000 women as against 323 per 100,000 in AA. However, for women under 35 years of age, the incidence of cancer is higher for AA than EU women. And this is relevant for mortality rates also, in that between 1995-2001, the five-year survival rate was 79.5% in the rate of AA, but 89.5% in the case of EU. In other words, the risk of dying of breast cancer was higher for AA than EU women. (Amend, Hicks, & Ambrosone, 2006).

Variables (including extraneous variables and their types):

The variables in this survey are in terms of the ages of respondent patients, their marital status, educational and genetic background, and income levels. It could also be seen in terms of length of time they have the cancerous condition and how and at which stage it has been diagnosed, and what line of treatment has been recommended.

Types of data (Qualitative and Quantitative necessary to answer the question):

Both qualitative and quantitative research has proved certain facts. In a study conducted by Joslyn SA regarding racial differences in distribution and survival of hormone reception in breast cancer patients, the research captured “instance of 39% of female African-American breast cancer patients had ER-negative tumors compared with 23% of European-American patients, whereas 46% of African-American women had PR-negative tumors compared with 32% of European-American females.” (Amend Hicks, & Ambrosone, 2006, p.1).

Performance of search for the evidence

It is necessary that research of various oncological studies need to be gleaned from journals and, most importantly, from Surveillance Epidemiology and End Result (SEER). Moreover, research studies found from Medline, Questia, and other sites also need to be perused in order to gain knowledge and critical perspectives regarding the oncological impacts of breast cancer incidence among AA and EA women in the United States of America.

References

1. African American women and breast cancer: Should everyone be treated the same? Does one size fit all?. (n.d). Allacademic Research.
2. Amend, Kandace., Hicks, David., & Ambrosone, Christine B. (2006). Breast cancer in African- American women: Difference in tumor biology from European- American women. American Association for Cancer Research.
3. Amend, Kandace., Hicks, David., & Ambrosone, Christine B. (2006). Breast cancer in African- American women: Difference in tumor biology from European- American women: Tumor biology. American Association for Cancer Research. 1.