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Searching beyond the Lamppost to Reduce Breast Cancer Disparities

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Gehlert

    (Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA)

  • Marion H. E. Kavanaugh-Lynch

    (California Breast Cancer Research Program, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

  • Senaida Fernandez Poole

    (California Breast Cancer Research Program, Oakland, CA 94612, USA)

Abstract

Racial and ethnic differences in breast cancer occur by race/ethnicity in both incidence and mortality rates. Women of lower socioeconomic status likewise have poorer outcomes. When race alone is considered, incidence rates in the United States are highest among White women (130.8 per 100,000), with Black women close behind (126.7 per 100,000). Incidence is lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander women, at 93.2 per 100,000. Mortality differences are more pronounced, with Black women 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women (28.4 per 100,000 and 20.3 per 100,000, respectively). Mortality rates for Asian/Pacific Islander women (11.5 per 100,000) are far lower than for Black and White women. When age is considered, additional differences between Black and White women appear, in part accounted for by types of breast cancer experienced. Women of other racial/ethnic groups and socioeconomic status have received less scientific attention. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the evidence for social determinants of breast cancer and argue that the current reliance on race over racism and ethnicity contributes to our inability to eliminate breast cancer disparities in the United States and elsewhere in the world. We suggest alternatives to the current approach to research in breast cancer disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Gehlert & Marion H. E. Kavanaugh-Lynch & Senaida Fernandez Poole, 2021. "Searching beyond the Lamppost to Reduce Breast Cancer Disparities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-7, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1186-:d:489113
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Warnecke, R.B. & Oh, A. & Breen, N. & Gehlert, S. & Paskett, E. & Tucker, K.L. & Lurie, N. & Rebbeck, T. & Goodwin, J. & Flack, J. & Srinivasan, S. & Kerner, J. & Heurtin-Roberts, S. & Abeles, R. & Ty, 2008. "Approaching health disparities from a population perspective: The National Institutes of Health Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(9), pages 1608-1615.
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