Incidence of breast cancer in ethnic minority groups in North America and in Western Europe

Despite considerable advantages in research for treatments and therapies for breast cancer, there is a noticeable lack of resources which emphasizes racial disparities and socioeconomic status.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancer types among women and among the top 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 included age, other underlying diseases, and environmental factors, but also socio-economic 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 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.

Here's the complete Editorial authored by Sharon Burk, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, and Prof Antonio Giordano, Director of Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO). The Editorial was published in the Annals of Research In Oncology.

Here's what SHRO is doing toward the 'Close The Care Gap' initiative - a mission of World Cancer Day 2022 - and under the leadership of Professor Antonio Giordano, in the area of North Philadelphia and neighborhoods around Temple University; SHRO's 'Health Equity Project'. This initiative was also covered in the Local News Network - NBC10 Philadelphia, to view the report click here.

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