A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals a concerning trend in breast cancer disparities among different racial groups in the United States. While overall breast cancer mortality rates have declined by 44% since 1989, saving an estimated 517,900 lives, not all women have benefited equally from this progress.
The report, titled “Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024,” highlights that Black women continue to face a 38% higher breast cancer mortality rate compared to White women, despite having a 5% lower incidence rate. This disparity extends to survival rates, with Black women showing lower survival than White women for nearly every breast cancer subtype and stage of diagnosis, except for localized disease.
Adding to the concern, Black women are 10% less likely to be diagnosed with localized breast cancer compared to White women, with rates of 58% versus 68% respectively. These statistics underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the persistent health disparities affecting Black women in breast cancer care.
In response to these ongoing disparities, the American Cancer Society has launched the VOICES of Black Women study. This initiative aims to enroll over 100,000 Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 from diverse backgrounds and income levels who have not been diagnosed with cancer. The study’s goal is to better understand cancer risk and outcomes in this population.
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, emphasized the importance of addressing these disparities, stating, “Women today are a lot less likely to die from breast cancer, but alarming disparities still remain, especially for Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American and Black women. These gaps need to be rectified through systematic efforts to ensure access to high-quality screening and treatment for every woman.”
See “Breast Cancer Mortality Continues Three-Decade Decline but Disparities Remain” (October 3, 2024)