As we navigate the health challenges of 2025, it’s crucial to acknowledge the persistent disparities in healthcare, particularly in the realm of breast cancer. The issue of higher breast cancer mortality rates among black women compared to other racial and ethnic groups remains an area of concern. Despite advances in healthcare access through policies such as the Affordable Care Act, black women still face a 40% higher likelihood of dying from breast cancer than white women. This blog post takes a deep dive into the data surrounding this issue, proposes possible solutions, and highlights the need for ongoing education and accessibility to preventive measures.
Breast Cancer Mortality Among Black Women
According to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black women have higher death rates from breast cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. Despite the overall decline in breast cancer death rates, black women had higher death rates even though they had fewer new cases of breast cancer. This report’s findings underscore the importance of educating women about the preventive benefits and coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act, including coverage of mammograms without co-pays in many health plans.
Importance of Adequate Screening and Follow-up
“Although we are making progress reducing deaths from breast cancer, we have much work to do to reduce preventable deaths, particularly among African–on-bet” target=”_blank”> women,” said CDC Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Only when every woman receives adequate screening, timely follow-up, and high-quality treatment, will the full benefit of breast cancer screening be achieved.”
The Research
The researchers reviewed data on new cases of invasive breast cancer reported from CDC’s National of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results . Breast cancer deaths were based on death certificates submitted to National Vital Statistics System.
Major Findings
- About 40,000 women die of breast cancer each year in the United States.
- Black women have 9 more deaths per 100 breast cancers diagnosed compared to white women.
- Black women have higher numbers of advanced stage breast cancer (45 percent) compared with white women (35 percent).
For more information about CDC’s efforts in breast cancer prevention, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast.
#BreastCancerAwareness #HealthDisparities #HealthcareAccess #PreventiveCare #AffordableCareAct
