Breast Cancer: At-Risk Population, Barriers, and Improvement

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Table of Contents

Introduction
At-Risk Population Defined
Health Risk of At-Risk Population
Potential Barriers
Identifying Stakeholders and Agencies for Collaboration
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The disease can affect various groups of people differently because their probability of getting a health condition depends on multiple factors. This idea refers to the concept that there exist at-risk populations who are more subject to particular issues compared to other individuals. Thus, the principal purpose of Part Two is to explain why older women face a higher risk of getting breast cancer, what barriers lead to this adverse state of affairs, and how to improve the situation.

At-Risk Population Defined

A single natural factor leads to the fact that older women (50 years old and higher) represent an at-risk population. It refers to the fact that aging processes deteriorate many body functions, and a protective one is among them. This claim means that it is more complicated for an aged organism, compared to a young one, to resist numerous viruses, bacteria, and others. It is possible to mention a recent example with COVID-19 to justify this information. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2020a), the older individuals are subject to the more adverse coronavirus consequences they are likely to witness. It is so because this population has weaker immune resistance and suffer from many other comorbidities. As a result, older individuals are more subject to health conditions because of their biological peculiarities.

In addition to that, one should emphasize the role of women’s health peculiarities. On the one hand, it relates to the fact that older women tend to refrain from taking sufficient physical activity. This phenomenon intensifies the negative impact of aging processes on the state of health. On the other hand, the CDC (2020b) admits that “early menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 expose women to hormones longer” (para. 5). Thus, biostatistical and epidemiological data explain why older women are more subject to various health issues.

Health Risk of At-Risk Population

Since it has been proved that older women represent an at-risk population, it is reasonable to define the most prevalent health issue among these people. According to the CDC (2020b), it refers to breast cancer since most cases “are found in women who are 50 years old and older” (para. 1). Li et al. (2016) state that breast cancer is more prevalent among women aged 85 and more years. The given health issue is significant for the whole medical industry because more than two million newly diagnosed cases were identified in 2018 (Wang et al., 2019). That is why nursing science should do its best to address the situation and protect the at-risk population. Vecchio (2018) supports the claim that insufficient physical activity, age, and gender are among the most typical breast cancer determinants. However, one should note that these features are not the only prerequisites of the disease.

Numerous scientific articles demonstrate that it is reasonable to draw attention to specific variables regarding breast cancer. Firstly, Brewer et al. (2017) stipulate that a family history of breast cancer is an essential determinant. The researchers demonstrate that having two or more relatives with this health issue increases the risk of getting breast cancer by 2.5 times (Brewer et al., 2017). Secondly, women with dense breasts are more exposed to the disease under consideration because a higher amount of connective tissue makes it harder to identify the disease at the early stages. Wang et al. (2019) support this idea and mention that “sensitivity of mammography for detecting breast cancer was around 85%, but it dropped dramatically to 47.8–64.4% for women with dense breast tissue” (para. 6). Thus, a family history of breast cancer and having dense breasts are the leading variables that increase the risk of getting the disease for older women.

Potential Barriers

The information above demonstrates that it is of significance to take some disease-prevention and health-promotion activities, but numerous barriers hinder their implementation. On the one hand, it refers to the fact that some women tend to refrain from periodic screening. Even though disease outcomes are directly associated with diagnosis time, patients fail to participate in this regular activity for many reasons. A study by Safizadeh et al. (2018) explains that these reasons include the fragile emotional relationship between spouses, fear of judgment, negligence, fear of diagnosis, and others. Although this article considers an Iranian context, it is possible to assume that these results can be applied to women of different origins.

On the other hand, one should state that preventing measures’ success does not only depend on patients’ behavior. Wang et al. (2019) argue that a fundamental barrier refers to diagnostic methods’ limited capabilities. Mammogram and ultrasound imaging are the typical options here, but they imply significant disadvantages. It refers to the fact that mammograms use potentially harmful X-rays, while their diagnostic accuracy depends on many factors, including having dense breasts (Wang et al., 2019). Simultaneously, ultrasound imaging has some advantages over a mammogram, including lower cost, but it is not free from limitations. According to Want et al. (2019), they are operator dependence, the lack of trained specialists, and others. At this point, it is rational to explain how these issues can prevent the at-risk population from experiencing positive outcomes.

The barriers above represent a multi-faceted phenomenon that can slow or impede any strategies to improve the at-risk population’s health. Firstly, multiple personal barriers result in the fact that women do not participate in regular screening. This scenario means that breast cancer cannot be diagnosed at its early stages. Secondly, those patients who undertake periodic screening face a limitation that refers to the use of diagnostic methods. It relates to the fact that mammograms and ultrasound imaging may not always diagnose breast cancer. This information denotes that specific measures are required to address these barriers.

Identifying Stakeholders and Agencies for Collaboration

Since the data above have shown that the problem under consideration is of a complex nature, it is necessary to collaborate with some stakeholders and agencies to improve the situation. Since it has been identified that a family history of breast cancer is an essential determinant of the disease, disease-prevention and health-promotion activities should involve genetic counselors. It is so because these medical professionals work directly with patients and help them understand whether they are at risk of getting the health condition. If a genetic counselor finds that a patient is more likely to suffer from breast cancer, this patient will be advised to pay more attention to their health.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of prevention measures depends on how accurately the disease is diagnosed. That is why it is reasonable to cooperate with mammogram and ultrasound imaging operators. It is useful for these individuals to undertake specific courses to improve their qualifications. This scenario will be helpful because better diagnostic capabilities will result in the fact that breast cancer will be diagnosed at its early stages. In turn, this situation will make it possible for medical professionals to take timely actions to help patients avoid the most negative outcome.

Finally, it seems rational to cooperate with a particular agency, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is a suitable option. It is so because this organization aims to provide breast cancer patients with the necessary assistance to improve their health and save their lives. For example, the NBCF offers women all the required information about this disease to ensure that they can make a reasonable decision regarding their health. In addition to that, the organization provides women with mammograms to help them identify their diagnoses. Consequently, the collaboration with the NBCF will be suitable for improving patients’ knowledge of breast cancer and enhancing the health care industry’s diagnostic capabilities.

Conclusion

Breast cancer is a significant health problem because it affects millions of people worldwide. It is prevalent among older women aged 50 years and older because natural aging processes and specific behaviors make them more subject to many diseases, including breast cancer. A family history of breast cancer and dense breast are also significant variables that increase the risk of getting this condition. In addition to that, many barriers result in the fact that the disease is dangerous for the population. It relates to the fact that multiple patients tend to refrain from periodic screening, while diagnostic methods’ abilities are limited even if screening is regular. This information demonstrates that specific disease-prevention and health-promotion activities are necessary to improve the situation. These activities can become more efficient if they are implemented in collaboration with genetic councilors, mammogram and ultrasound imaging operators, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

References

Brewer, H. R., Jones, M. E., Schoemaker, M. J., Ashworth, A., & Swerdlow, A. J. (2017). Family history and risk of breast cancer: An analysis accounting for family structure. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 165, 193-200. Web.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020a). Older adults. Web.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020b). What are the risk factors for breast cancer? Web.

Li, T., Mello-Thoms, C., & Brennan, P. C. (2016). Descriptive epidemiology of breast cancer in China: Incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 159, 395-406. Web.

Safizadeh, H., Hafezpour, S., & Shahrbabaki, P. M. (2018). Health damaged context: Barriers to breast cancer screening from viewpoint of Iranian health volunteers. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 19(7), 1941-1949. Web.

Vecchio, M. M. (2018). Breast cancer screening in the high-risk population. Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, 5(1), 46-50. Web.

Wang, Y., Chen, H., Li, N., Ren, J., Zhang, K., Dai, M., & He, J. (2019). Ultrasound for breast cancer screening in high-risk women: Results from a population-based cancer screening program in China. Frontiers in Oncology. Web.

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