Does Perceived Discrimination Increase Risk of Cancer?

• In Event: 174 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 12. Race and Health

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to assess the direct and indirect impact of perceived discrimination on cancer occurrence by sex and race. This study uses Waves 8-11 from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of adults over the age of 50. OLS regression models were used to estimate the impact of everyday discrimination as well as major life events of discrimination on health related behaviors and lifestyle. A series of logistic regression models were used to investigate the influence of everyday discrimination as well as major life event discrimination on cancer incidence. Among health behavior outcomes, everyday and major discrimination increased the likelihood of smoking and obesity. Major discrimination was positively associated with cancer occurrence for men and women. White women and African American men who have experienced major discrimination were more likely to report cancer relative to African American women and white men respectively. Perceived discrimination may influence health related behaviors and major life events of discrimination may influence cancer risk, especially for disadvantaged groups.

Author

• Blakelee Kemp, Purdue University