Breast Cancer in African American Women

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in African-American women; approximately 27,000 new cases and 6,000 deaths from breast cancer were expected in 2013.  Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death, after lung cancer, among African-American women.

In general, breast cancer survival rates have increased in the United States.  During the 1980s, breast cancer death rates for African-American women and other races were similar.  But since then the improvement in survival after breast cancer observed for white Americans has not been observed in the African American population. Recent data from the American Cancer Society demonstrate that from 2005-2009 African American women had a 41% higher death rate than white women, despite a lower rate of actually developing breast cancer.

The reasons for this disparity are largely unexplained, but there are some differences in tumor characteristics as well as differences in access to and utilization of health care. Clearly, we must work to reverse this course and increase the odds of survival when breast cancer strikes.  As health care providers, we must continue to encourage all women to know their risk factors; to practice breast awareness, have their annual mammogram if they’re over the age of 40, and know their family history.  Cancer advocacy groups like the American Cancer Society are a wonderful resource for information about cancer and for help in finding support and treatment options.  And an excellent source of information and support specific to African-American women is the Sister’s Network at www.sistersnetworkchicagochaptor.org. 

Together, we must work to prevent breast cancer and increase survival rates for all women.

Be well,

Tara Breslin, MD, MS

Breast Surgeon/Oncologist

Medical Director, Breast Care Program

Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital

Statistics from the American Cancer Society’s African American 2013-2014 Cancer Facts