Chien-Chi Huang, an Asian American advocate for early breast cancer screening, was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at 40 after having dense breast tissue that made tumors hard to detect on a mammogram. Since 2000, breast cancer rates among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women under 50 have increased by 50%. The rise is linked to factors such as westernization, late pregnancies, and higher socioeconomic status associated with some immigrant groups.
Asian American women with dense breasts face a higher risk of breast cancer due to genetic factors and lower body mass indexes. AAPI women’s breast cancer rates vary by ethnicity, with Korean, Chinese, Filipina, and South Asian American women being at highest risk. Mortality rates also vary widely among different AAPI subgroups.
The increase in breast cancer among younger Asian American women may be due to rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental factors. Researchers are studying unique risk factors in Asian American women, including stress and discrimination. AAPI women collectively have low screening rates, contributing to a steady mortality rate despite advances in cancer treatment.
Disaggregating data and conducting long-term studies on different ethnic groups within the AAPI community is crucial to understanding the factors driving the rise in breast cancer. Addressing cultural beliefs, increasing awareness about early screening, and reducing stigma around cancer within the diaspora are important steps in combating breast cancer among Asian American women.
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