For Black women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and as of 2019 has surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in this population, according to the American Cancer Society.

Getty Images


October 4, 2022 — For Black women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and as of 2019 has surpassed lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in this population, according to the American Cancer Society. Black women continue to experience disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, leading to increased mortality of up to 40 percent higher than white women. Researchers are working to improve outcomes for Black women with breast cancer – including through increased participation in clinical trials, which helps find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. 

Coral Omene, MD, PhD, medical oncologist at the Stacy Goldstein Breast Cancer Center and member of the Cancer Health Equity Center of Excellence at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s leading cancer center and only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center together with RWJ Barnabas Health; and an assistant professor of medicine at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, shares more on the topic. 

Diversity matters in breast cancer research. Clinical trials are research studies involving human volunteers to evaluate medications, vaccines, or medical devices for safety and effectiveness and play an essential role in improving patient cancer care and outcomes. Because different populations can respond differently to therapies, clinical trials for breast cancer that include those specific populations are important. Ensuring people from diverse backgrounds participate in clinical trials is key to advancing health equity.  

Black women are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. The reasons for this are multi-factorial, including social, economic, structural factors, and communication, and access issues. In particular, a lack of awareness and understanding of clinical trials, compounded by distrust of the medical system all pose barriers to Black women participating. 

We’re working to connect Black women with clinical trials. Rutgers Cancer Institute has recently been awarded a $50,000 grant from the V Foundation for Cancer Research in partnership with ESPN to increase clinical trial awareness and enrollment of Black women with breast cancer. The efforts in this funded proposal to increase clinical trial participation among Black breast cancer patients will include tailored patient education; advocacy and outreach; patient navigation; and physician engagement and outreach.  

What Can Black Women Do? 

Black women should feel empowered to take every opportunity available to them to detect breast cancer early through annual mammograms and encourage their family members and friends to do so as well. Black women diagnosed with breast cancer should ask questions, including discussion of clinical trial options and seek second opinions if necessary, so that they are comfortable with their treatment plans. If there are any issues that may pose a barrier to receive treatment or participate in a clinical trial, they should inform the team and be reassured that the medical team is dedicated to helping them navigate or resolve those barriers, so that they can receive the best treatment option. Importantly, they must be engaged in all the avenues available to help decrease breast cancer recurrence. 

For more information: rwjbh.org/mammo 

 

Related Breast Imaging Information:  

Structural Racism Cited in Study of Breast Biopsy Delays 

Black Women Face Three-fold Increased Risk of Triple Negative Breast Cancers  

Black Women Are Receiving Inferior Breast Screening  

Hologic Partners with Oprah Winfrey Network to Combat Health Disparities for Black Women  

Legislation May Help Identify Breast Cancer Earlier in Certain At-risk Women  

Female Breast Cancer Surpasses Lung as the Most Commonly Diagnosed Cancer Worldwide  

Johns Hopkins Medicine Expert Weighs Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers  

Radiation Oncologists Urge Congress to Advance Bills That Protect Patient Access to Cancer Care During Pandemic  

Breast Imaging in the Age of Coronavirus  

Female Breast Cancer Surpasses Lung as the Most Commonly Diagnosed Cancer Worldwide  

Johns Hopkins Medicine Expert Weighs Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers  

Radiation Oncologists Urge Congress to Advance Bills That Protect Patient Access to Cancer Care During Pandemic  

Breast Imaging in the Age of Coronavirus


Related Content

News | Clinical Trials

June 7, 2023 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the availability of a draft guidance with ...

Time June 07, 2023
arrow
Feature | Radiology Imaging | By Melinda Taschetta-Millane

It's been a fruitful month for itnonline.com! Here's a look at what ITN viewers found to be most interesting during the ...

Time June 01, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Density

May 25, 2023 — Researchers from the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) and University of California, San Francisco confirmed ...

Time May 25, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

May 25, 2023 — GE HealthCare, a leader in breast cancer care technology and diagnostics, has today announced that NCCN ...

Time May 25, 2023
arrow
News | Ultrasound Women's Health

May 25, 2023 — According to an accepted manuscript published in ARRS’ own American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), deep ...

Time May 25, 2023
arrow
News | Radiation Oncology

May 22, 2023 — Physicians and scientists from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center will discuss the latest ...

Time May 22, 2023
arrow
News | Mammography

May 22, 2023 — Incorrect advice by an AI-based decision support system could seriously impair the performance of ...

Time May 22, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

May 16, 2023 — DenseBreast-info.org has issued a statement which states that the USPSTF Guideline should not apply to ...

Time May 16, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

May 15, 2023 — RSNA updated its Statement on Screening for Breast Cancer, recognizing new recommendations from the ...

Time May 15, 2023
arrow
News | Breast Imaging

May 12, 2023 — The new United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations are ...

Time May 12, 2023
arrow
Subscribe Now