Skip to main content

The Symptoms of Breast Cancer and how it affects Black women

The statistics are clear: black women frequently lose out when it comes to breast cancer, which affects more than 3.8 million women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. This is because black women are 40% more likely than white women to die from the disease.

There are numerous causes for this, including: Health care providers are biased towards black individuals, they may lack access to comprehensive and inexpensive care, and they are often identified late, often with more aggressive kinds of breast cancer. According to recent research, black women are more likely to have cancer that metastasizes, which means it is more difficult to cure because it has spread to other parts of the body.

What exactly is the difference? 

The distinctions in breast cancer are numerous and complex. To begin with, black women had a lower incidence rate but a greater death rate from breast cancer than white women. This means that while African American women are less likely to have the disease, they are significantly more likely to die as a result of it.

Black women have the greatest breast cancer death rate of any racial or ethnic group, and white women have a 41% higher breast cancer death rate.1,2 That is not a typo; it is an incredible statistic: Black women with breast cancer are 41% more likely than white women to die from the disease. Furthermore, African American women have a worse chance of survival five years following diagnosis.


Overview 

In summary, incidence rates can be misleading. In general, African American women  have a lower incidence of the disease; However, when breast cancer develops in these women, it can be more deadly. Therefore, black women may benefit from better screening and prevention efforts, as well as more aggressive medical treatment. 

There is no one sure way to prevent breast cancer, but data from prevention-related studies shows that women can reduce their risk by leading a healthy lifestyle, reducing alcohol consumption, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. 

Symptoms of Breast Cancer  in Black Women 

Breast cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stages, when the tumor is small and difficult to see. Breast cancer is also the easiest to treat at this stage, which is why screening mammograms are important. 

Black women with breast cancer may first notice a painless lump in the breast. The lumps are usually noncancerous (benign) and can occur frequently. However, if you notice a lump in your breast that feels unusual,  you should discuss it with your doctor as soon as possible.

Some changes to your breast tissue can be a sign of cancer and are something that you should not ignore. These include:

  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
  • Change in the size or the shape of the breast
  • Pain in any area of the breast
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area

If breast cancer runs in your family or you have other risk factors, finding a lump will be scary and you could fear the worst. However, there are many other causes of breast lumps that are not cancer.

Here, experts dive into how breast cancer affects Black women and offer a few key ways you can try to keep it out of your future.

1. Black women are often diagnosed with more aggressive forms of breast cancer.

2. Black women are underrepresented in clinical trials, often for reasons beyond their control.

3. Black women tend to have denser breasts.

4. Black women may have more estrogen exposure over time.

5. Black women may need to get screened for breast cancer earlier.

6. Black women are often forced to be their own health advocates.

The Facts About African American Breast Cancer Inequality 

Lower Incidence. African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer than other racial/ethnic groups. 

Highest Mortality Rate. Black women have the highest breast cancer death rates of any racial or ethnic group and a 41 percent higher  breast cancer death rate than white women. 

Reduced Survival. African American women are less likely to survive  five years after diagnosis. Diagnosis at a younger age. Black women are more likely to develop breast cancer before the age of 50. 

Most aggressive crab. African American women have  higher rates of more aggressive breast cancers, such as B. triple negative cancer. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DEVELOPE A HEALTHY HABITS TO TRANSFORM YOUR DAILY LIFE

  In today's world time is valuable, we have less and less of it. The best way to take advantage of this time is by learning how to develop healthy habits that can transform your life. How many times have you set a goal for yourself only to realize that it didn't last? It's easy to fall back into old routines; however, with a new year comes new goals and a fresh start. Take back control and improve the quality of your life by developing the following healthy habits below. We all want to develop healthy habits, but our busy lives often get in the way. With so much uncertainty and difficulty in our modern lives, it is more important than ever to develop healthier daily routines.  This Healthy Habits is a guide that teaches simple yet powerful methods to help you develop healthy habits to transform the quality of your life. A habit is what you repeatedly do, and this guide teaches you how to change any bad habit into a good one─how to change your bad health into good health, e...
Post a Comment
Read more

WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION? COULD IT BE A SYMPTOM OF ANOTHER CONDITION?

Depression is a very real and serious condition that affects millions of people. It's important to understand how antidepressants work, to know how to take SSRI's, and how to adjust your treatment plan as you and your doctor decide what makes you feel best. Depression is the main cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It can affect adults, adolescents, and children. In this article, learn what depression is, the types and what causes it. We also describe their treatments, and more. DEFINITION Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that makes you feel constant sadness or lack of interest in life. Most people feel sad or depressed at times. It’s a normal reaction to loss or life's challenges. But when intense sadness -- including feeling helpless, hopeless, and worthless -- lasts for many days to weeks and keeps you from living your life, it may be something more than sadness. You could have clinical d...
Post a Comment
Read more

KNOW THE SIGNS OF DIABETES (10 WARNING SIGNS OF PREDIABETES)

  Diabetes is a chronic medical condition in which the body either produces no insulin and/or cannot effectively utilize the insulin it produces. Individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing complications including: heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, neuropathy and kidney disease. Overall death rates for people with diabetes are about twice as high as those without the disease. What is diabetes?   Diabetes occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin and/or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is the hormone that helps your body turn glucose (sugar) into energy. Instead, glucose builds up in the blood. Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes often develops into diabetes or is a precursor of glucose intolerance. If you have prediabetes, controlling your weight and eating healthy foods can delay or prevent prediabetic conditions from...
Post a Comment
Read more