According to new cancer statistics for African American and Black People, just released by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the cancer mortality rate declined from 1991 to 2022 by 49% and 33% in Black men and women, respectively, the news is not all good – especially as it relates to breast cancer. The same study shows that in the United States, the risk of cancer death for Black women with breast cancer is two-fold that of White individuals, with the risk of death from breast cancer for Black women sitting at between 40-50%. Furthermore, the statistics show that survival is lower in Black people than in White people for almost every type and stage of cancer, with the largest gaps for melanoma, uterine corpus, and cervical cancers.
You can read findings here CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians and available on cancer.org.
Black women experience “critical gaps” in breast cancer care
Partly due to social, economic, geographic, and lifestyle factors Black women are statistically more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, and are less likely to breastfeed after childbirth. All of these are risk factors for breast cancer. Black women are also shown to have a higher incidence of breast cancer at an earlier age and are 5X more likely to develop more aggressive forms of breast cancer such as triple-negative breast cancer. Sadly, some root causes are societal. according to the Black Women’s Health Study, the largest cohort of Black women in the U.S., racial discrimination was recently associated with increased incidence of breast cancer. This association was stronger among women aged 50 years or younger and among those who reported discrimination in multiple contexts.
A brand new study from the University of Surrey in the UK also reveals what it calls “critical gaps” in breast cancer care within the Black community.
The study found barriers prevent black African and Caribbean women in the UK from having screenings, which means they faced a higher risk of dying from breast cancer.
Anietie Aliu, lead author of the research, said: “Black women deserve better from the scientific and health communities”.
The review found that previous research often grouped Black women from diverse backgrounds together, including black African and Black Caribbean, masking important cultural nuances and different experiences.
The study also highlighted that the interventions designed to increase screening uptake did not target the diverse emotional and psycho-social barriers faced by Black women.
Ms. Aliu said this showed the need for “more culturally sensitive research on breast cancer screening in the Black communities”.
Action is needed to address bias and disparity in care
We need to do better in reaching Black women globally with the message of risk mitigation. We need to create a culture of inclusivity where Black and BIPOC women are equally represented in research and drug trials. We need to address the unique societal obstacles and pressures Black and BIPOC women face that prevent them from engaging in breast screening. We must face head-on biases and disparities of care that continue to exist within our healthcare systems. We need to ensure that Black and BIPOC women see themselves represented in breast cancer campaigns and media portrayals.
As a quick example, in writing this blog, I did a quick search on Google of images connected to the term “breast cancer.” Apart from a sea of pink ribbons (ugh, my feelings about that are for another blog), the images returned to me depict (with the rare exception) white breasts, white arms, white hands, and diagrams depicting white anatomies. A search of “women with breast cancer” shows a better representation of women of colour, but there remains much work to be done.
Many thanks must flow to organizations such as the Tiger Lilly Foundation, Sisters Network, and the African American Breast Cancer Alliance and Olive Brancj of Hope and healthcare advocates such as Dr. Ify McErley and Dr. Miriam Mutebi are doing their part to advocate online and through social media for Black and BIPOC women. These organizations and individuals are helping to overcome lingering societal stigmas women of this community face, helping to increase participation in preventative screening programs and increase the representation of Black women in breast cancer prevention campaigns, breast cancer research and other critical breast health initiatives.
In our 2023 and 2024 “I WANT YOU TO KNOW” and “NOT TOO YOUNG” photo essays, produced in collaboration with award-winning photographer Hilary Gauld and Dense Breasts Canada, we showcased the stories of many Black and BIPOC women impacted by the disease. I am honored to share their stories via this blog. They are: Nadine diagnosed at 39, Robin, diagnosed at 24, Karleen, diagnosed twice at age 30 and then again at 50, June, diagnosed at age 40, Jenelle, diagnosed at 38, Tarot, diagnosed at age 29, and Nakida, diagnosed at age 29.
These women have courageously and vulnerably shared their stories with the world. Each is doing her part to make a change and to drive for a more inclusive portrayal of those whose lives are impacted by breast cancer.
Check out my YouTube short on this topic here, and subscribe for much more to come!
