Black women's breast cancer: Data, figures, and beyond
In the fight against breast cancer, early detection is key. However, early breast cancer often presents without symptoms, making regular self-examinations crucial. According to Breastcancer.org, a self-examination can be conducted by looking at the breasts in the mirror, raising the arms above the head and looking in the mirror, looking for any discharge from the nipples, feeling the breast tissue while lying on the back, and feeling the breast tissue while standing or sitting [1].
Regular breast screenings are also recommended. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises females aged 40-74 years to have breast cancer screening every 2 years [2]. For those between 40 and 49 years of age, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional to discuss whether regular breast cancer screening is the right choice.
Unfortunately, Black women face a higher risk of developing aggressive strains of breast cancer and have higher mortality rates. This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including biological differences, healthcare system factors, and social determinants.
Biologically, Black women are over twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype with poorer prognosis and fewer treatment options [3]. Genetic factors like higher prevalence of TP53 gene mutations and social determinants such as obesity, driven by income disparity and food access issues, contribute to this disparity.
Healthcare system factors also play a crucial role. Black women often face longer delays from diagnosis to treatment, with only 69% starting treatment within 30 days versus 82% of non-Hispanic white women [2]. This delay, combined with access mostly to hospitals without National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center designation, results in slower adoption of advanced therapies.
Moreover, structural racism underpins many disparities through educational, economic, and social inequalities that correlate strongly with increased incidence of aggressive cancer types and treatment delays in Black women. Disparities in social determinants of health (SDOH) like education, voting rights, and employment significantly increase the odds of treatment delays, further impacting outcomes [4].
The emotional, psychological, and mental health impact of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatment should not be underestimated. Access to culturally competent healthcare is vital, and some people may be more comfortable seeing a Black physician. Fortunately, resources such as the African American Breast Cancer Alliance, Sisters Network Inc., Sisters by Choice, Black Women's Health Imperative, and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts provide support to communities of colour [5].
It's also important to note that a lower income can lead to reduced levels of nutrition and fitness, disproportionately affecting Black people in the U.S. BlackDoctor.org is a website where Black people can find doctors in their insurance network [6]. If a person has a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, a doctor may recommend regular screening.
In summary, Black women with breast cancer face a compounded burden of adverse biological, clinical, social, and systemic factors rooted in health inequities and structural racism, leading to poorer survival and higher mortality compared to other racial and ethnic groups [1][2][3][4]. It's essential to address these disparities to improve outcomes for Black women with breast cancer.
[1] Breastcancer.org. (n.d.). How to do a breast self-exam. Retrieved from https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/bst/manual_exam
[2] American Cancer Society. (2021). Breast cancer in African Americans. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-african-americans.html
[3] National Cancer Institute. (2019). Triple-negative breast cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/hp/triple-negative-breast-treatment-pdq
[4] American Cancer Society. (2021). Social determinants of health and cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-basics/social-determinants-of-health.html
[5] African American Breast Cancer Alliance. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from https://www.aabca.org/about-us
[6] BlackDoctor.org. (n.d.). Find a doctor. Retrieved from https://www.blackdoctor.org/find-a-doctor/
- Encouraging regular self-examinations and screenings is crucial in the fight against breast cancer, particularly for early detection.
- Black women have a higher risk of developing aggressive strains of breast cancer and face higher mortality rates, partly due to biological differences and longer delays from diagnosis to treatment.
- Triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype with poorer prognosis and fewer treatment options, is over twice as common in Black women.
- Structural racism and social determinants of health contribute significantly to the disparities in breast cancer outcomes for Black women.
- Access to culturally competent healthcare services is vital for emotional, psychological, and mental health support during breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Resources like the African American Breast Cancer Alliance, Sisters Network Inc., and Black Women's Health Imperative provide support to communities of color.
- Improving outcomes for Black women with breast cancer requires addressing the adverse biological, clinical, social, and systemic factors that stem from health inequities and structural racism.
