Georgia N. L. J. Polacek|Mary Carol Ramos|Robert L. Ferrer
Breast cancer disparities and decision-making among U.S. women
The University of Texas at San Antonio|United States Army Medical Command|The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
impact breast cancer immense women literature reveals even greater impact women color among socially economically disadvantaged populations persistent differences incidence outcome undoubtedly due multiple factors one element poor outcome may treatment choice treatments shown related best outcomes less likely chosen certain groups women effects economic cultural factors breast cancer treatment choice thoroughly explored factors must understood health care professionals intervene effectively address disparities improve breast cancer outcomes women review breast cancer literature conducted order 1 describe breast cancer disparities united states 2 delineate factors might contribute disparities 3 assess possible mitigating factors predominant causes 4 begin decide health care interventions might allay factors contribute disparities breast cancer incidence mortality breast cancer incidence outcome disparities united states due multiple interacting factors include information treatment different types treatment emotional context decisionmaking patient preference level involvement treatment decisionmaking complex health literacy level decisionmaking involvement embedded social economic reality key components breast cancer treatment decisionmaking may contribute breast cancer disparities united states current models shared decisionmaking may generalizable breast cancer patients optimal breast cancer outcomes women depend culturally ethnically appropriate professional support