Open AccessAn observational study and randomized trial of stress reactivity in cancer disparities.
Author(s) -
Chanita Hughes Halbert,
Melanie Jefferson,
Carla Kmett Danielson,
Brett Froeliger,
Antonio Giordano,
Jessica E. Thaxton
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
health psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.548
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1930-7810
pISSN - 0278-6133
DOI - 10.1037/hea0000882
Subject(s) - psycinfo , breast cancer , stressor , clinical psychology , psychological intervention , socioeconomic status , population , gerontology , medicine , psychology , health equity , disease , cancer , public health , medline , psychiatry , environmental health , political science , law , nursing
Physiological stress responses have been suggested as a mechanism through which social and biological factors contribute to racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. Many African Americans experience stressful life events and circumstances. These social factors may contribute to an increased risk of advanced stage disease at diagnosis and/or faster progression, but not all African American women exposed to adverse social factors develop advanced stage disease. Similarly, women who have a limited number of stressors can develop advanced stage breast cancer. Highly individualized stress reactivity may account for these inconsistent associations.