1.8.2: Biomedical model- Breast cancer example
- Page ID
- 118242
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The Biomedical Model addresses health issues as a function of risk factors, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments. As we discussed earlier, medicine tends to focus more on the individual than on populations, and that is also true of the biomedical model. It also tends to focus more on downstream interventions than upstream interventions. Yet both the biomedical model and the social ecological model share a focus on risk factors -- both models work together to identify the populations most at risk for a specific disease or injury and to take preventative action to reduce exposure to risk factors. For example, medical researchers and doctors' associations played a role alongside public health agencies and community activists in banning or limiting transfats in food, once it was proven how harmful they are to health (Amico, et al., 2021).
Example: Breast Cancer
To prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer using the Biomedical Model, here are some actions that public health, medical practitioners, and biomedical researchers might take.
Risk Factors:
- Individual risk factors like age, sex, family history, genetic markers, and pregnancy history are used to identify those individuals who would benefit from screening. While the American Cancer Society recommends mammograms for all women starting at age 45, some women or others with substantial breast tissue may benefit from screening earlier, based on risk factors (ACS, 2025).
- Outreach efforts to encourage individuals at risk of breast cancer to get a mammogram are an example of prevention activities under the biomedical model.
Symptoms:
- Symptoms of breast cancer include lumps, swelling in the breast or lymph glands, unusual discharge, nipple changes, and unusual pain. Individuals who note these symptoms can consult their medical provider. Also, patients are often screened for these symptoms during routine medical appointments (check-ups).
Diagnoses:
- When breast cancer is diagnosed, the type, stage, and outlook for that specific form of breast cancer will be established through a series of medical tests. The treatment plan will be developed in response to the specific diagnosis.
- Substantial biomedical research has been done both in the laboratory and with patients to refine diagnoses and develop the appropriate treatments for each.
Treatments:
- Medical treatments may include radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery, and immunotherapies.
- Many patients also access some form of complementary or alternative medicine treatments, such as acupuncture, herbs, or meditation.
- Once breast cancer is cured or in remission, additional medical treatments may be used to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of the disease.
References
American Cancer Society. (2025). Recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/...st-cancer.html
Amico, A., Wootan, M. G., Jacobson, M. F., Leung, C., & Willett, A. W. (2021). The Demise of Artificial Trans Fat: A History of a Public Health Achievement. The Milbank quarterly, 99(3), 746–770. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12515