A pilot study of Cancer Genome Profiling in the African American Population

Abstract

As an African American woman, it is imperative that I change the perception that we have on healthcare and the pharmaceuticalindustry. It is a common but respectable misconception that Medicine and research does not work in the African American population. Many of these misconceptions have developed over time from the medical mistreatment in diverse population, specifically African Americans. (T.S.E, Henriette Lacks etc.) Studies show that Breast and Ovarian cancer are two of the most prevalent cancers among women worldwide. African American woman have a lower incidence in both Breast and Ovarian cancers buthave a higher mortality rate compared to their white counterparts. Genetics, Access to care, treatment options, and other healthcare disparities play a vitalrole in overall survival rates among this diverse population. While there has been research on both cancer types, there is limited data and research specially for AfricanAmerican women.