A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that Black women are more likely than white women to die from even treatable types of breast cancer, shedding light on racial disparities as opposed to biological differences being the root cause. The study involved a meta-analysis of 18 studies with nearly 230,000 patients and compared mortality rates between Black and white women with the same breast cancer molecular subtypes. Researchers found that Black women were more likely to die from various subtypes, including hormone receptor-positive tumors, HER2-positive tumors, and triple-negative breast cancer.
Factors contributing to these disparities include economics, access to extended treatments, lack of representation in clinical trials, younger age at diagnosis, and advanced stage at diagnosis. Structural barriers such as access to transportation, child care, healthy food, and pollutants also play a role in health outcomes for Black women. To address these disparities, initiatives to improve access to healthcare facilities with patient navigators to assist with treatment options and transportation are recommended.
While the disparity in breast cancer mortality rates between Black and white women has grown over the years due to advancements in diagnosis and treatment, researchers believe that with continued efforts, it is possible to eliminate these disparities. Early detection through screening, knowing family history, and addressing social determinants of health are key strategies in reducing the gap in breast cancer mortality rates between Black and white women.
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