As we continue in October , Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am delighted to write my second blog post on this important topic. I hope by now all of you had a chance to have read my first blog post, and the impact a healthy lifestyle can have on Breast Cancer prevention . As I mentioned in my first blog post the genes we inherit are responsible for only 5-10% of breast cancer cases. In contrast, up to 25% of cases could be prevented by addressing a number of lifestyle related factors.
We all know screening and early detection are key factors not only in breast cancer , but with most cancers. One important factor is to raise awareness and educate people about breast cancer.
I was very lucky and privileged to sit and talk to Professor Mahtash Esfandiari, who has collaborated with me on this blog post. Professor Esfandiari is the Director of the Statistical Consulting Center, and the Assistant Director of Center for the Teaching of Statistics, at UCLA Department Of Statistics. Her areas of interest include statistics education and statistical consulting. She has been involved with few studies around breast cancer research, including one with Dr. Susan Love as well. ( For the sake of time and technicality of that research , I will talk about that particular study in future posts).
1) " The impact of breast cancer knowledge and attitudes on screenings and early detection" :
Few studies explored factors influencing breast cancer screening and early detection behaviors among immigrant Iranian women residing in the USA.
Correlation between knowledge of breast cancer and awareness is very strong (0.82) indicating people who have high knowledge of breast cancer have a more positive attitude about preventive care and going for mammograms. We are in no way implying that knowledge is the cause of going for mammogram, we are simply saying they are strongly associated. Interpretation of correlation : We can say that 62% of the variance in women's attitude toward preventive care for breast cancer is explained by their knowledge of this subject.
As professor Esfandia suggested, what we can do as healthcare providers is to advocate and raise awareness about breast cancer and importance of early screenings.
2) Second Study : " Correlates of mammography screening practice among immigrant women in Southern California" . The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with mammography screening among immigrant women in Southern California.
Conclusion : The findings indicated that health care providers may influence breast cancer screening among immigrant women. There is a need for a culturally sensitive educational intervention to enhance the knowledge and awareness related to breast cancer. This intervention can be provided through the health care provider ( female doctor who understands the anatomy of a female patient ) and through the social support and family groups.
Compared to 10 years ago we see more female doctors specializing in areas of breast cancer, which will hopefully improve outcome. Other factors that possibly impact early screening are : ethnicity and religion , level of education, demographic differences, and having health insurance.
Good news about Breast Cancer Trends this past decade : Death rates are declining due to better screening and early detection, and increased awareness.
1- Attitude and stigma about breast cancer has changed : More people are open about their disease and diagnosis ( celebrities and important figures in public raising awareness ) . In certain cultures and religions it might have been very difficult for a women to get the physical and emotional support after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Having breast cancer is just not a physical process, and mental health comes to play as well. It is extremely important to seek counseling when diagnosed and during treatment.
2- With new treatment options, and targeted drug therapy the rate of survival is much higher compared to decades ago. As health care providers we have to make sure people from all socio-economic backgrounds will have access to all the new treatment options. Having insurance not only effects seeking preventive care but , also enhances treatment options. Black women have a higher rate of death than white women. Barriers to quality health care access, health behaviors, prevalence of risk factors are possible reasons for differences in survival.
3- So many factors of breast cancer prevention are in your hands , life style factors, healthy food choices, limiting toxins, exercise, and most of all early detection. Don't delay your testing due to Covid-19, early screening is the key in any form of cancer prevention, schedule your mammogram.
Stay well and stay healthy.
Dr. Naghmeh , Pharm.D.
My sincere thanks and gratitude to Professor Mahtash Esfandiari for giving me her time and valuable insight on this topic.
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