Cultural and Environmental Factors of Triple-Negative Breast Carcinomas

Abstract

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in the world. The triple-negative breast cancer subtype is associated with poorer prognosis than hormone receptor-positive subtypes and is more prevalent among African Americans than white, European Americans. The goal of this study has been to elucidate environmental, hormonal, and cultural factors that may be contributing to this disparity in an effort to identify modifiable risk factors and improve triple-negative breast cancer outcomes. Factors that may impact risk include vitamin D defiency, hormonal factors, environmental and dietary exposure, radiation exposure, and obesity. These factors may disproportionately affect African American women as a result of socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and cultural norms. Furthermore, disparities in prognosis may be compounded by barriers such as access to healthcare, prevention education, and perceptions of healthcare. Both biological and sociocultural factors impacting risk must be addressed in order for future prevention and treatment efforts to succeed.

Modulation of Estrogen α and Progesterone Receptors in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cell Lines: The Effects of Vorinostat and Indole-3-Carbinol In Vitro

“…There is growing evidence that TNBC-related disparities may actually drive the aggressive biology of this type of cancer, observed in African-American TNBC patients (4,8). Other treatment barriers, such as screening, stage at diagnosis, income and biological factors have been identified as contributing factors to the disparities of TNBC in minority populations (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). In most cases, standard chemotherapy is usually the systemic treatment for advanced TNBC however, emerging treatments are currently being investigated, including epigenetic therapies.…”

“…TNBC patients are often limited to cytotoxic chemotherapies with harsh side effects. In addition, this type of cancer has the tendency to occur in younger women and is associated with risk factors, including: i) being of African descent (4), ii) BRCA1 mutation (5-7), iii) a strong family history of breast cancer (8), iv) lifestyle, and v) environmental factors (9)(10)(11). Additional risk factors involving life-style include: i) poor diet (12,13), ii) high alcohol intake (14,15), iii) smoking (16,17), iv) lack of breastfeeding (18,19), v) lack of exercise (20), and vi) obesity.…”