Cancer Mortality
Article Review 1: Cancer Mortality
Monica Bagous
HLTH 630: Liberty University
March 30, 2024
Abstract
Cancer is a disease that severely affects all age brackets of an individual but has the
highest mortality among African American compared to other ethnic groups. The core of
disparity has its background in race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The biopsychosocial
model is relevant since it determines the interconnected adaptive mechanisms needed to optimize
and change one’s condition. Bestowing a substantial assessment and claim in the eventual failure
of disparities can call for a worthy claim hence the need to eliminate them. Research shows
sufficient evidence on disparities involving health-related behaviors, health status, and tumor
outcomes according to race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
Keywords:
Socioeconomic status, Cancer mortality, Disparities, Race, Ethnicity
Cancer Mortality
Introduction
The source discussing this topic is the article “Health Disparities and Cancer: Racial
Disparities in Cancer Mortality in the United States, 2000–2010”. As can be seen from the name,
the authors explore the differences in cancer mortality rates of black and white Americans. The
main purpose of the study is to examine the outcomes of cancer data and trends in the described
populations. Its four main cancer sites include lung, female breast, prostate, and colon/rectum.
Thus, the elimination of any form of health disparities should become a top priority, including a
significant equalization of care to all people. The role of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic
indicators as potential sources of disparities in health-related behavior and health status is
pivotal.
Methodology
The authors did substantial research, and with the help of such databases as MEDLINE
and Google Scholar they newly compiled the most recent data on mortality trends. The study
employed ratios of cancer mortality disparity to compare the mortality rates of blacks and whites,
and The NIH National Cancer Institute's SEER dataset provided an ample foundation for
analysis of this study. The literature search supplemented the findings, offering important clues
to cancer mortality trends and disparities.
Results
Compared to their white race counterparts, African American men and women have
higher rates of cancer mortality. Although prevalence rates are declining, there are still
disparities especially with breast or prostate cancer. The early detection of disease whether to
treat or notice important in treating it successfully, and we need to pay attention at all levels for
Cancer Mortality
addressing disparities. This is highlight by the by role socioeconomic status plays in early
detection and treatment.
Conclusions and Recommendations
There has been little improvement in the problem. Deaths from cancer you get
disgraceful with greater frequency. The Affordable Care Act has important moves against them,
but a full effort is needed to handle health disparities. It is the highest priority to kill public
health programs that are both for prevention and provide care everyone can take advantage of
equally, to enhance the outcome of patients from different races and economic backgrounds.
Discussion
Though the reduction in cancer-related deaths between 2000 and 2010 is largely
explained by the decreased smoking, screening, and treatment, persistent disparities in cancer-
related deaths by race and ethnicity and socioeconomic status support the need for working
towards the reduction and elimination of the broader health inequalities. Moreover, considering
the current rapid advancements in cancer treatment, increasing access to screening and
prevention measures may help reduce inequalities in the cancer outcomes by many factors.
References:
1. O'Keefe EB, Meltzer JP, Bethea TN. (2015). Health disparities and cancer: racial
disparities in cancer mortality in the United States, 2000-2010. Frontiers in Public Health,
3, 51. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2015.00051.
2. Singh GK, Jemal A. (2017). Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Cancer
Mortality, Incidence, and Survival in the United States, 1950–2014: Over Six Decades of
Changing Patterns and Widening Inequalities. Journal of Environmental and Public
Health, 2017, 2819372. doi:10.1155/2017/2819372.
