Breast cancer affects women of all backgrounds. However, some groups are more susceptible, with a higher likelihood of serious outcomes, than others.
Black women have a particularly outsized presence in breast cancer statistics. According to the National Institutes of Health, Black women develop breast cancer at a younger age than white women, are more likely than white women to die from the disease, and are twice as likely to develop aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.
The reasons for this are myriad – “social, economic, geographic, and lifestyle factors may partially account for disparities,” in the words of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation – meaning that raising awareness and taking preventative measures take on an increased importance.
Cynthia Douglas knows what it’s like to fight breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2021 at the height of the COVID pandemic, this November will mark her third anniversary of being cancer-free. Despite being aware of her breast cancer risk, and regularly self-testing, she said her diagnosis was unexpected.
“When I heard the C-word, I didn’t hear too much of anything else,” she said. “I just couldn’t understand it. I’d checked myself, there were no symptoms, and I thought I was doing all right.”
Luckily, Cynthia’s breast cancer was detected early. A family history of breast cancer saw her attend regular annual screenings – “I never miss a year,” she said – and it was at one of these screenings that her cancer was found. It may well have saved her life.
During her cancer journey, Cynthia was shocked to learn how personal health, such as high blood pressure, eating habits and excess weight, can contribute to cancer risk.
“I don’t think we educate ourselves enough about how weight, hormones, and different things work together to create cancer,” she said. “Your personal health is so important. It’s so important to check yourself for lumps and schedule regular screenings.”
Dr. Constance Blunt is a hematologist and oncologist and the medical director for Mary Bird Perkins’ Prevention on the Go Program. She said the higher risk faced by Black women comes down to a number of different factors.
“The disparity is real,” she said. “Black women are diagnosed at a much later stage and triple negative breast cancer is more common. We’re still trying to understand whether this is socio-economic or biological, but it’s probably a combination of both. It’s certainly a complex problem.”
Causes include everything from a lack of access to care and proper nutrition to being underrepresented in clinical trials. Reaching people in their communities can also be a problem, something that Mary Bird Perkins’ Prevention on the Go program, which sends mobile units into minority communities, is designed to help alleviate.
Dr. Blunt said there are several steps that Black women could take to help lower their breast cancer risk. “Number one is preventative healthcare, such as seeing your primary care doctor and having regular breast exams,” she said.
“Number two is understanding risk – ask your family members if people in your family have had cancer – and number three is getting your problems addressed. For example, if you feel a lump, tell your primary care doctor.”
For more information about breast cancer and programs offered by Mary Bird Perkins, please visit marybird.org/breast.