Black women are amongst those most affected as the rate of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses reaches higher levels amongst all racial and ethnic groups, according to a new study.
Analyzing data ranging from 2004 to 2021, the study found that young women from the ages 20 to 29 and women over 75 had the highest increase in advanced breast cancer rates.
Black women specifically had the highest increase, recording rates of distant-stage cancer cases that were 55% higher than women of other demographics. This disparity persisted even though the rate of mammograms received by Black women was equal to that of white women.
“The significant increase in metastatic disease at diagnosis among all U.S. women and across all age groups is an alarming new finding,” said lead author R. Edward Hendrick, PhD, clinical professor, department of radiology at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, per a news release. “This finding is even more remarkable given the likely undercounting of advanced disease in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
A diagnosis at a later stage can prove to be fatal for most. Per the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer remains around 31%, meaning only 31% of all people diagnosed at the later stage live up to five years after they were diagnosed.
Black women, even with earlier detection, have a lower mortality rate, passing away at a 38% higher rate than white women. Amongst young women, Black women record double the mortality rate of white women.
As part of the study, researchers identified several reasons why disparities persist. Along with environmental factors, they point to issues such as reproductive trends, lack of access to proper health care, and obesity as key contributors.
A major factor was also identified as a lack of screening and incorrect guidelines that may affect the number of women who get screened.
“Fewer than 50% of U.S. women participate in annual breast cancer screening,” said researcher Debra L. Monticciolo, MD, in a statement. “That means we don’t have the opportunity to sweep out early-stage breast cancers in huge numbers of women, who will arrive at a later stage for diagnosis.”
