Think Pinker

According to Science Daily there seems to be some discrimination occurring in breast cancer screening, especially for breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Dr. Crowley from Stanford University Center For Biomedical Ethics says that until there is no discrimination mortality rates will not be reduced and so it’s important that changes be made.

Most times this discrimination occurs inadvertently. It’s not like a doctor or nurse says “you’ve the wrong skin color so we won’t do a mammogram.” No –the discrimination is much more subtle than that.

It’s likely occurring indirectly. According to research at the Stanford University American Indian, African American, Asian, and Latino women are not receiving the type of care they need.  When surveyed it seems they didn’t feel discriminated against, it was more a case of not having adequate medical coverage, or lack of resources for those women. 48% of women and men of these ethnic groups were less likely to be screened for breast cancer or colorectal cancer.

Delayed screening really affects survival rates because of the latent diagnosis. In fact survival rates are only 23%.

How does this affect you? Well it may not. But what it does say is that women and men need to be more vigilant. It means you need to make sure you are tested. There are free mammogram clinics available in most metro areas. If you find you have cancer and you do not have medical coverage Medicaid may be able to help you.

Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate against rich or poor, Caucasian or ethnic, rural or metro, married or single. Doctors aren’t intentionally discriminating against anyone but thanks to the way of the system it occurs inadvertently and no one until now was paying much attention to the situation.

Only you can take care of your health. You are responsible for you. Don’t rely on a system or anyone else. Do what you must do to receive breast cancer screening. There is free screening available so be sure to take advantage of it.