An African American patient with pathologic fractures due to metastatic breast cancer - An evidence-based commentary on patient management

Breast cancer is the most frequently metastasized cancer to the skeleton in women. This disease has a greater mortality in African Americans than in Caucasians, due to the tendency to be diagnosed and treated at a much later stage. Subsequently, with an increase in metastases and pathological fractures, these women also have higher rates of functional disabilities. As the average life expectancy for women with skeletal metastases is more than 24 months, it is imperative that rehabilitation professionals become caring, competent providers of healthcare to this population. To provide some assistance with this task, this case report will present an evidence-based commentary on the management of a patient with pathological humeral fractures due to metastatic breast cancer.