A new study by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) has shed light on the social drivers of health that significantly impact breast cancer outcomes among Black women. Presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, this comprehensive analysis of nearly 5,000 participants is the largest of its kind to date.
The study’s findings reveal alarming disparities in early breast cancer detection among Black women. A key discovery is the critical role of regular mammograms. Black women who did not obtain regular screenings were three times more likely to be diagnosed with Stage 3 or 4 breast cancer compared to Stage 1. This underscores the vital importance of access to preventive care.
Economic factors also play a crucial role. Women living below the federal poverty line faced almost twice the risk of late-stage diagnosis compared to early-stage detection. This stark contrast highlights the urgent need to address financial barriers in healthcare access.
Dr. Dorraya El-Ashry, Chief Scientific Officer at BCRF, emphasized the significance of these findings: “This study is a major step forward in helping us unravel the key causes underpinning disparities in breast cancer outcomes.”
The research points to the necessity of targeted interventions to advance health equity. Expanding access to mammograms and addressing economic and insurance barriers could dramatically improve early detection rates. This is crucial, as localized breast cancer in Black women has a 97% 5-year survival rate, compared to just 24% for Stage 4 diagnoses.
Currently, Black women face a 38% higher mortality rate from breast cancer than white women, despite slightly lower incidence rates. The BCRF’s Health Equity Initiative, supported by The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, aims to close this gap through comprehensive research into the underlying causes of these disparities.
This study marks a significant advancement in understanding and potentially reducing breast cancer disparities, offering hope for improved outcomes and survival rates for Black women facing this devastating disease.
See “BCRF’s Health Equity Initiative Releases Largest Study on How Social Drivers of Health Impact Breast Cancer Outcomes in Black Women” (December 12, 2024)
