Breast Cancer Disparities in Asian Women: The Need for Disaggregated Research

Lauren Fane, Tithi Biswas, Charulata Jindal, Yuk Ming Choi and Jimmy T. Efird ()
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Lauren Fane: MD University Program, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Tithi Biswas: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Charulata Jindal: Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Yuk Ming Choi: Signify Health, Dallas, TX 75244, USA
Jimmy T. Efird: VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, Boston, MA 02130, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-7

Abstract: Asian (AZN) women are a heterogeneous group, comprising a wide array of cultural beliefs, languages, and healthcare needs. Yet, studies of breast cancer (BCa) risks and outcomes predominately consider AZNs in aggregate, assuming that the distinct ethnicities have similar disease profiles and homogeneous responses to treatment. This stereotypical portrayal of AZNs as a homogenous group tends to mask disparities. For example, healthcare-seeking behaviors and attitudes of medical providers toward AZN BCa patients frequently differ within this group and from other races. Misconceptions may arise that significantly influence the prevention, detection, treatment, and post-therapeutic care of AZN women. In addition to low BCa screening rates among AZN women, disparities also exist in various stages of BCa treatment—omission of radiation after breast-conserving surgery, less access to hypofractionation, underutilization of hormonal therapy, and higher-cost treatment owing to high HER2+ incidence. In this perspective, we highlight the need for disaggregated research of BCa among AZN women and advocate for comprehensive, culturally sensitive strategies to address health disparities in this priority population. Improving BCa literacy and awareness, access to care, and equitable recruitment into clinical trials are a few amelioratory goals to consider in the future.

Keywords: Asian women; breast cancer; disaggregation; health disparities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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