P a g e | 1

Miriam Alvarez
Senior Capstone
Mrs. Frank

Global Connections Research
More than 1 million women world-wide are diagnosed with this cancer each year, mostly
in the 50 and older age group (American Cancer Society). In the United States 206,966 women
and 2,039 men are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer. Over the years many studies to
terminate breast cancer have failed and there seems to be no cure. Ways to prevent it arent quite
enough. Sure it is not easy to change ones life style but it is important; such as stopping the
intake of junk food, avoid the intake of alcohol or just being physical exercise. Being
overweight can increase the chances to develop breast cancer. As women get older it is hard for
them to lose weight. The temptation of fast food everywhere can cause a person to eat a lot of
greasy food and not eat healthy. Plus technology has been advancing and it is easy not to move a
single finger for work. Factors that no one can change will be like gender, age, or ethnicity. A
program funded by the government such as the national breast and cervical early detection
program helps low income and uninsured women to get free screening. A well-known
organization for breast cancer is Susan G. Komen because they invest about $ 1.5 billion in
breast cancer research, education, and community programs since 1982.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer to affect New Zealand women. The
total population of New Zealand is 4,365, 113 and every year 2,750 women and 20 men in this
country will be diagnosed (The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition). The Breast Cancer Aotearoa
Coalition provides information, support and presentation to people who have breast cancer to
know about the different treatments and care. Patients of breast cancer can lose their hair and
may feel embarrassed. In many countries the government doesnt give free wigs it has to be
purchased and sometimes the wigs are at high prices. The New Zealand Government currently
P a g e | 2
Miriam Alvarez
Senior Capstone
Mrs. Frank
subsidises wigs for adults for temporary hair loss up to $400 (The New Zealand Breast Cancer
Foundation). To claim a wig a person has to be a New Zealand citizen or ordinarily resident in
New Zealand and undergoing treatment for breast cancer which causes hair loss.
Due to the lack of technology, funds from the government and Africa being a developing
nation it is hard to get treatments for breast cancer. In Eastern Africa19.3 per 100,000 cases of
breast cancer in women are being diagnosed (The Guardian). East Africa is from 30 to 60 deaths
per 100,000 women. Although Africa has low cases in breast cancer the mortality rate is high.
Due to the lack of money women are unable to go to the doctor. In Kenya, it was noted that
breast cancer is the number one killer of women aged 35 to 55 years (The East African).
Screening utilizing mammography has not been widespread in the continent.
The more developed a country is, the higher the rate of breast cancer. Both the United
States and New Zealand are well developed nations with high rates in obesity problems. There
seems to be a correlation between breast cancer and obesity. Eastern Africa in the other hand is
developing and has a low rate in obesity. The fact that Africa is a developing nation and doesnt
have many resources makes womens mortality rate high. The most effective country is United
States because the government supports in research and many organizations are spread out in the
United States to help women with paying mammograms or spreading knowledge of what breast
cancer is.





P a g e | 3
Miriam Alvarez
Senior Capstone
Mrs. Frank

Sources
Knox, Richard. "With Routine Mammograms, Some Breast Cancers May Be Overtreated."NPR. NPR, n.d.
Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
"Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented?" Can Breast Cancer Be Prevented? N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
"Seduced by Food: Obesity and the Human Brain." Boing Boing Seduced by Food Obesity and the
HumanBrain Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
"Breast Cancer Statistics." Breast Cancer Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
"Global Cancer Facts & Figures." America Cancer Society, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
"Being Overweight." Breastcancer.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
"Wigs and Headwear." New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast Cancer: Help and Support:. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
"Breast Cancer Rates in UK 'four times as Bad as East Africa'" Daily Express UK RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24
Jan. 2014.