Breast Cancer In Black Women: What You Should Know

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.

Why Are Black Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Later?

Black women often receive a breast cancer diagnosis at a later stage compared to white women. Andrea L. Amico, MD, an oncologist/hematologist at the Patricia A. Joyce Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, told us why.

“Fear, family history, and the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age—the social determinants of health—all play a role in higher mortality rates among Black women,” she said. “Fear of a cancer diagnosis can lead to delays in screening, as many believe a diagnosis is a death sentence. This belief is often rooted in personal experiences with other family members friends who received a diagnosis at advanced stages and died shortly after diagnosis.”

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. Only Black men have a higher death rate due to breast cancer, the American Cancer Society reported in its Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024-2025.

According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year overall survival rate for breast cancer among is 91 percent—but the survival rate is a surprising 84 percent lower 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 breast cancer screening that leads to early detection.

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.

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.

“The research is promising, but it means nothing if we don’t work to put it into action,” said Dr. Amico.

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:

1. Early screening: Encourage Black women to start mammography screening at age 40 or earlier based on their family history and other risk factors.
2. Education and awareness: Increase awareness about the importance of early detection and dispel the myths surrounding breast cancer.
3. Access to care: Improve access to affordable healthcare and ensure that all women, regardless of race, receive timely and appropriate treatment.
4. 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.