Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death (exceeded by lung cancer in 1985). Breast cancer is three times more common than all gynecologic malignancies put together. The incidence of breast cancer between young black women and young white women has been increasing steadily having a mortality rate of 25% higher.

To investigate if there is a reason why breast cancer and the mortality rate of African American Women are higher than White Women and does income plays a factor on

early detection. I will attempt to explore if a relationship exist between race, income and the high mortality rate.

In 1993, there has been an increased morality rate for low-income African American Women; the difference could not be explained by health officials or health insurance companies. In the United States breast cancer morality rates from 1970 through 1999, breast cancer incidence rates from 1980 through 1999, and a 3-year survival rate from 1980 through 1993. The incidence and survival data are from the Surveillance, Epidemiology Center. Studies show that African Ameri

Diets high in saturated fat such as polyunsaturated fats; corn oil and meat increase the chances of breast cancer. Most studies have not found smoking to cause breast cancer. One recent study indicated there may be a link. Studies of the relationship of breast cancer to cigarette smoking and second-hand cigarette smoke are still under study. However, smoking decreases your survival rate once you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One or two drinks a day slightly increases your risk of breast cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk. There is an increased risk of breast cancer for women under the age of 35 who have been using birth control pills for 10+ years. Abortions performed early in a woman’s reproductive life does increase the risk of breast cancer. You are at a higher risk if you began your menstrual cycle before the age of 12, you have no children, you had your first child after the age of 30, or you began menopause after the age of 55. (National Breast Cancer Foundation) Patients with a positive family history of breast cancer are at increased risk for developing the disease. However, 85% of women with breast cancer have a negative family history! Family history only includes immediate relatives, mother, sisters and daughters. If a family member was post-menopausal (fifty or older) when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the lifetime risk is only increased 5%. If the family member was premenopausal, the lifetime risk is 18.6%. If the family member was premenopausal and had bilateral breast cancer, the lifetime risk is 50%. With this information the gap between to the two groups of women wouldn’t seem to be so widened. If an educational program was offered for all women regardless of color or income status the mor

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