Breast Cancer In Black Women: What You Should Know
Women's Health General Health & Wellness
October 22, 2025
Breast cancer affects all women, but Black women face unique challenges and may face unequal care. Despite advancements in cancer care, Black women continue to have higher mortality rates and often receive their breast cancer diagnosis at a more advanced stage of the disease. Understanding these differences is crucial for improving outcomes and saving lives.
Key Takeaways: Black Women And Breast Cancer
Why Are Black Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Later Than Other Women?
Black women often receive a breast cancer diagnosis at a more advanced stage compared to white women. Shaina Rozell, MD, a hematology/medical oncology physician at the Patricia A. Joyce Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, told us why.
“I think you have to look at a lot of the socioeconomic factors. First you need to address some of the disparities that are in place,” she said. “Economic status, literacy, communication. I think there needs to be more discussion with patients, especially African Americans. We just do not discuss it.”
Why Is The Breast Cancer Death Rate Among Black Women Higher?
Putting off scheduling mammograms or delaying follow-up on abnormal results are two contributors to a higher death rate for Black women compared to other women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I think it also is the phenomenon of just caring for the entire household and not being able to readily go to the doctors,” said Dr. Rozell. “When you ask a single mother, ‘Do you have time to actually go to the doctor’s appointment?’ she may say, ‘No, I have to spend time raising my children, raising my family.’”
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year overall survival rate for breast cancer is 91 percent—but the survival rate is a surprising 84 percent for Black women. When physicians diagnose breast cancer in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate can approach 99 percent.
Still, for many, fear of a cancer diagnosis prevents or delays the crucial mammograms and breast cancer screening that leads to early detection. Less than 70 percent of Black women over 40 in Indiana and Illinois had their mammogram in the last two years, according to the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024-2025.
’This Is A Time Where Self-Care Needs To Be Emphasized’
“I would say for Black women, when it comes to breast cancer, I would just say take care of yourself. I think as a Black woman and even as a Black physician, I think there's a heavy load and expectance on what we have to do in this world,” said Dr. Rozell. “You have to be the mom, you have to be the provider, you have to be great at your job. You have to be so many different things that many times you tend to neglect yourself and I think this is a time where self-care needs to be really emphasized.”
Should Black Women Start Breast Cancer Screening Early?
Recent studies suggest that Black women should begin breast cancer screening earlier than women of other ethnicities.
“I think they need to just be screened regardless of race,” said Dr. Rozell. “I think the first thing is they need to go to the doctor and get screening.”
The new national guidelines for breast cancer screening, released by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in April 2024, recommend that all women start regular mammograms at age 40. Previously, the guidelines suggested beginning at age 50.
A 2021 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed the disparities in breast cancer death rates between Black and white women could be reduced by as much as 57 percent with screenings every two years for Black women starting at age 40.
How Do Social Determinants Of Health Affect Breast Cancer Outcomes?
Social determinants of health, like socioeconomic status, access to healthcare and insurance coverage, significantly impact breast cancer outcomes. Being uninsured or underinsured leads to delays in treatment and lower quality of care.
Black women are approximately 4 percent less likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, they are significantly more likely to die from it. The American Cancer Society found that women in Indiana and Illinois on the average have a 20 percent chance of dying from breast cancer. That number jumps to more than 25 percent of Black women in Indiana and more than 30 percent in Illinois.
Fear, family history and social determinants of health all play a role in the higher death rates from breast cancer. Starting routine mammograms earlier can help improve breast cancer outcomes.
What Progress Has Been Made?
There has been some progress in closing the breast cancer survival gap between Black and white women. A study tracking breast cancer trends in Florida from 1990 to 2015 found that the racial disparity in breast cancer deaths has narrowed. However, it also found Black women still have nearly double the death rate of white women. Efforts to increase access to mammography and early detection programs have contributed to this progress, but more work is needed.
Addressing the disparities in breast cancer care and outcomes among Black women requires work from all angles. Early screening, education, access to care, cultural competency and support systems are all critical components. By working together, we can improve breast cancer outcomes for Black women and ensure they receive the care and support they need.
How Can We Reduce Disparities?
Several steps can help reduce breast cancer care and outcome disparities among Black women:
Why Do Survival Stories Help?
Sharing survival stories can provide hope and encourage more women to get their mammograms.
“I think survival stories help because the first misconception about cancer is that everyone with cancer dies, and that is very commonly seen and spread across the media,” Dr. Rozell said. “Especially in African American or Hispanic communities, no one wants to talk about cancer, because for them it means death. But when you actually hear the opposite — that there are many survivors out there, not just of breast cancer but of many kinds and it changes the perspective.”
Be strong. Be bold. Be unstoppable. Early detection can save your life. Schedule your mammogram today.
How Do Social Determinants Of Health Affect Breast Cancer Outcomes?
Social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status, access to healthcare and insurance coverage, significantly impact breast cancer outcomes. Being uninsured or underinsured leads to delays in treatment and lower quality of care. Black women are approximately 4 percent less likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, they are 41 percent more likely to die from it. Fear, family history and social determinants of health all play a role in the higher mortality rates. Starting screenings earlier and doing them more often can help improve breast cancer outcomes.
How Can We Reduce Disparities?
Several steps can help reduce breast cancer care and outcome disparities among Black women:
- Early screening: Encourage Black women to start mammography screening at age 40 or earlier based on their family history and other risk factors.
- Education and awareness: Increase awareness about the importance of early detection and dispel the myths surrounding breast cancer.
- Access to care: Improve access to affordable healthcare and ensure that all women, regardless of race, receive timely and appropriate treatment.
- Support systems: Build strong community support systems to help women navigate the healthcare system and access necessary resources.
Why Do Survival Stories Help?
Sharing survival stories can provide hope and encourage more women to get screened.
“Women of color need to tell their survival stories to allow hope to replace fear,” said Dr. Amico. “These stories can help break the cycle of fear that often surrounds breast cancer in many communities.”
What Progress Has Been Made?
There has been some progress in closing the breast cancer survival gap between Black and white women. A study tracking breast cancer trends in Florida from 1990 to 2015 found that the racial disparity in breast cancer deaths has narrowed. However, it also found Black women still have nearly double the death rate of white women. Efforts to increase access to mammography and early detection programs have contributed to this progress, but more work is needed.
Addressing the disparities in breast cancer care and outcomes among Black women requires work from all angles. Early screening, education, access to care, cultural competency and support systems are all critical components. By working together, we can improve breast cancer outcomes for Black women and ensure they receive the care and support they need.
Schedule A Screening Today
Be strong. Be bold. Be unstoppable. Early detection can save your life. Schedule your mammogram today.
