A review: incidence of breast cancer in ethnic minority groups in north America and populations in western Europe

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancer types among women, and among the top for cancer deaths. Research to address this worldwide issue has been conducted to identify risk factors associated with development and treatment. It was identified that risk factors not only includ-ed age, other underlying diseases, environmental factors, but also socioeconomic factors, language barriers and ethnic background. Unfortunately, due to low socioeconomic status groups that are affected the most in the United States are African American and Hispanic women while in Western Europe, such as in Italy, discrimination was based on geographical location rather than racial background. Previous studies indicate that discrimination and racial disparities are relevant factors affecting women battling against breast cancer. By analyzing and highlighting the pitfalls of the current medical approaches to treatment among various ethnic groups in North America and Western Europe, researchers and medical professionals will be better able to tailor treatments and improve prognosis among all BC patients, regardless of race and ethnicity.