Breast cancer remains a significant health issue in the United States and is the second leading cause of cancer death in New Jersey, according to the state’s Department of Health. Research indicates that Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than Non-Hispanic White women.
Experts have examined several possible reasons for this disparity. Some point to social determinants of health, which include socioeconomic factors that can affect both access to healthcare and its quality. Others have suggested that lower use of screening services might contribute to higher mortality rates among Black women. However, recent data shows that Black women utilize mammography at similar rates as other racial and ethnic groups. Despite this, Black women in New Jersey and nationwide are more often diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer, though this does not fully explain the difference in mortality rates.
The most promising explanation so far is the higher prevalence of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) among young African American women. TNBC is a more aggressive form of breast cancer, known for its resistance to standard therapies and its lack of detection without advanced screening technology.
The American Cancer Society currently recommends annual mammograms starting at age 45 for all women. Given that Black women are being diagnosed with TNBC at younger ages and tend to have later-stage diagnoses, some suggest that screening guidelines should be updated based on race and ethnicity to better reflect varying risks.
New Jersey residents can access programs such as ScreenNJ, run by the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, which aims to increase screening among low-income and underinsured populations (https://screennj.org/about-us/). The Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center also provides treatment and research for various cancers (https://cinj.org/about-cinj/jack-sheryl-morris-cancer-center). Advocates recommend that the New Jersey Department of Health continue updating guidelines to address risks faced by minority populations in the state (https://www.nj.gov/health/ces/briefs.shtml).
“Because Black women are being diagnosed with TNBC earlier within their lives and late-stage breast cancer detection is most prominent in Black women, it is suggested that the American Cancer Society consider updating its recommended mammogram schedules based on race and ethnicity to best account for varying risks associated with breast cancer among different groups of women.”
With ongoing research and updated guidance from state agencies, there is hope for improved health outcomes for all women facing breast cancer.
