Breast cancer

Women get breast cancer when cells in the breast don't grow right and a tumor forms. Breast cancer is less common in Asian American/Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian women than it is in White or African American women. But, more Asian American/Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian women have breast cancer than do women of Hispanic or American Indian/Alaska Native descent. Also, the number of Asian American/Pacific Islander women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer has increased. Chinese American and Japanese American women have higher rates of breast cancer than women of their same age in China and Japan. At first, it was believed a Western diet (higher in fat) could explain this difference, but this has not been proven. Among all other populations in the United States, Asian American/Pacific Islander women have the lowest death rate from breast cancer. But, among certain Pacific Islanders, death rates from breast cancer are much higher than among other ethnic groups. For example, Native Hawaiians have the highest death rate from breast cancer than for any racial/ethnic group in the Unites States. Breast cancer also is the leading cause of death among Filipino women. We do not know why the rates vary between these groups. But, among all ethnic groups in this country, Asian American/Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian women are the least likely to have ever had a mammogram.

We do not know how to prevent breast cancer. There are things women can do to reduce their risk, such as limiting how much alcohol they drink. However, it's vital for women to take steps to find breast cancer if they have it:

• Women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every 1-2 years. Talk to your health care provider.

• Perform a breast self-examination (BSE) every month.