Breast Cancer A Malignant Tumor - 1203 Words

Chapter I - Introduction Breast cancer is defined as a malignant tumor in the cells of the breast. A cancerous tumor develops when a group of malignant cells invade the tissue surrounding the breast and can spread to other parts of the body (Cancer.org, 2015). This type of cancer is most common in women. However, men can also fall victim to the disease. In 2015, about 230,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and approximately 40,000 women will die from this disease (Cancer.org, 2015). White Non-Hispanic women have the highest incidence rates for breast cancer; however, African American women have higher mortality rates. Cancer disparities to these non-Hispanics are purported by various factors. These disparities can†¦show more content†¦Breast cancer accounts for almost 14 percent of all cancer cases in the Bronx County, and 9% of all cancer related deaths The best survival rates occur for those who are diagnosed with early stage disease, the American Cancer Society reports tha t between 60 percent of breast cancer cases in the Bronx were found at an early stage. The Bronx County has been reported to contain the largest number of breast cancer deaths and also contribute to the rising levels of breast cancer death in New York (Cancer.org, 2015). Purpose Statement The purpose of this study is to further investigate the role of factors that influence Breast Cancer risks among African American women, ages 40-64 living in the Bronx. Recent studies from large cancer databases have consistently shown that in comparison to White Non-Hispanic women, African American women who have breast cancer often delay seeking treatment. This might be a contributing factor to the disparities in mortality rates. This quantitative and descriptive research aims to investigate the relationship between higher breast cancer mortality rates in African American women and low socioeconomic status. A broad search of literature was reviewed in order to better understand the relation between these variables and their impact on poor treatment outcomes for African American women. Significance of Study Research shows that African American women are predisposed to more aggressive tumors that are more advanced upon diagnosis. This