- Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer
Although Black women and white women are diagnosed at similar rates, Black women are about 40% more likely to die from the disease due to factors like delayed diagnosis and limited access to quality care. - Breast cancer tends to appear earlier in Black women
Black women are often diagnosed before age 50, compared to white women who are more commonly diagnosed after menopause. - Triple-negative breast cancer is more common in Black women
Black women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—an aggressive type that is harder to treat and has fewer targeted therapies. - There are disparities in screening and follow-up care
Black women are less likely to receive timely mammograms and appropriate follow-up after abnormal results, often due to systemic barriers like insurance, access, and provider bias. - Black women are underrepresented in clinical trials
This limits the ability to develop treatments that are tailored to the unique biology and risk factors that affect Black women. - Cultural stigma can delay diagnosis and treatment
Fear, mistrust of the medical system, and cultural taboos around illness can lead to delayed care or non-compliance with treatment. - Genetic risk factors may be different
While BRCA mutations are commonly discussed, other genetic and biological markers may influence how breast cancer develops in Black women and how it responds to treatment. - Socioeconomic status impacts outcomes
Factors like income, education, and neighborhood health resources greatly influence diagnosis, treatment access, and survivorship. - Breast density may be higher in younger Black women
Higher breast density makes cancer harder to detect on mammograms and may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. - Advocacy and awareness save lives
Grassroots efforts led by Black breast cancer survivors and advocates—like you—are essential in bridging the gap, spreading awareness, and pushing for equity in research and care.
Melanin & Pink Ribbons 
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