Why does this disparity exist and how do we prevent it?
However, there are also modifiable risk factors for cancer, and these should be emphasized.
Some answers remain a mystery because Black women are underrepresented in clinical trials.
Illustration by Theresa Chiechi for Verywell Health
The importance of emphasizing preventative health strategies in Black communities cannot be overstated.
Policies that increase access to mammography and quality healthcare facilities in Black communities are desperately needed.
There is a need to curb certain lifestyle patterns that contribute to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Julie Bang / Getty Images
Lifestyle Factors
Breast cancer can affect anyone, not just people with afamily history.
Diet
An inadequate diet can negatively affect the health of the bodys cells as well as contribute to obesity.
While these are considered modifiable risk factors, they are not necessarily something that every person canor desiresto change.
Research has suggested that exposure to these ingredients may increase a persons risk for cancer.
Oral contraceptive pills are among the most prescribed medications in the United States.
Early research has suggested that breastfeeding might be more or less protective depending on the breast cancer subtype.
Breastfeeding for longer than six months may provide additional protection.
Most women who breastfeed experience hormonal changes during lactation that delay their menstrual periods.
This reduces a womans lifetime exposure to hormones, like estrogen, that can promote breast cancer cell growth.
The national breastfeeding average is 85% in the United States, but only 69% in Black communities.
Promoting breastfeeding could be a potential preventative measure to limit breast cancer risk.
Examples include tamoxifen or raloxifene.
If you are at high risk for breast cancer, taking these medications might be an option for you.
Chemoprevention
Research has shown that chemoprevention drugs are effective at preventing breast cancer in pre- and postmenopausal Black women.
They are a popular chemotherapy medication for hormone-positive breast cancers, but can also be used for chemoprevention.
However, some research suggests that these drugs are severely underused in Black communities.
Genetic testing provides you with valuable knowledge that will inform your medical decisions.
Ultimately, the choice to get a mammogram is up to you.
That said, you may want to involve your doctor.
Over 30% of Black women do not get their recommended mammograms.
The tool can be useful, but it is not without limitations.
Getting an estimate of risk does not predict who will or will not get breast cancer.
Non-modifiable risk factors include:
Modifiable risk factors can be changed.
However, definitive paths are not known and more research needs to be done.
A missed diagnosis can lead to larger tumors and delays in treatment.
These mutations confer up to an 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer.
When these cells do not function properly, they allow mutated DNA to create abnormal proteins in cells.
Each gene mutation is associated with a twofold increase in the risk of developing breast cancer.
Gene expression tests can be used to learn more about your cancer and help tailor your treatment plan.
They can also help doctors identify which chemotherapy treatments will be the most effective after breast surgery.
Research has shown that menstrual history could play a role.
Getting a mammogram is a matter of life and death for many Black women.
Black women are also most likely to be diagnosed with larger and more clinically advanced tumors.
Effect on Black Women
Triple-negative cancers tend to be more aggressive and harder to treat.
Black women are more likely to get this jot down of breast cancer than women in other racial groups.
There is also evidence that whenchemotherapyis given, it is less effective in Black women.
If there are genetic differences that explain the effect, personalized medicine might be able to address them eventually.
About 5% of White women are diagnosed at an advanced stage vs. 8% of non-Hispanic Black women.
However, the specific factors that contribute to racial disparities are rarely highlighted.
Many local providers and larger hospital systems are also starting to provide cost-effective treatment services.
If you are struggling to access care, its important to discuss the barriers with your doctor.
Also, talk to your insurance company about ways to lower the cost of your prescriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I eat to prevent breast cancer?
No foods have been shown to prevent breast cancer, but some foods may help lower your risk.
For example, the Mediterranean diet has consistently been associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer.
The health disparity is seen in how many women die from breast cancer.
Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women.
The reasons for this are many.
Can Black women do anything to prevent breast cancer?
Does having a family history guarantee that Ill develop breast cancer?
No, but having a family history of breast cancer does increase your risk.
A Word From Verywell
You dont need to overhaul your life to decrease your breast cancer risk.
Getting a mammogram can be lifesaving for any woman, but especially for Black women.
Allow the people in your life to help you take this crucial preventive healthcare step.
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