HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — For Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, News 19 is highlighting the importance of preventative care and shedding light on some facts you might not know.
Black women face significant breast cancer disparities including a lower incidence rate but a higher death rate. The American Cancer Society says black women are dying from cancer at a higher rate than any other group, and doctors say that’s not from biology alone. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of breast cancer even when they have the same stage of disease as white women.
Suzette Simon, a breast cancer survivor, advocate, and comedian lost her mother to breast cancer. She says society is not prioritizing or recognizing that this is a crisis.
Doctors say that several factors contribute; from delays in screenings to differences in access and care. From 2016 through 2020, the number of new cases of breast cancer was higher in black women compared to white women in only 4 states; Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia.
Simon says advocating for yourself and your health, and choosing doctors who are supportive and listen to your concerns, are key factors when choosing your care. Black women have a roughly 40% higher death rate from breast cancer and among women under 50, the disparity is even greater.
When breast cancer is caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Simon says knowing what resources are available if you are diagnosed with breast cancer can be vital to your survival. Doctors say the work is far from over but every new health screening program brings them that much closer to equity, and the best way to close this gap is early detection.
That means that every woman must be given the same access to preventative care.Simon says she hopes by sharing her story, more women will get checked, speak up for their health, and have an equal shot at survival. If you have any questions regarding your health, its always best to consult a doctor.
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