Demographics

The growing breast cancer disparities that exist between Black women and white women are alarming. Although the overall lifetime risk of breast cancer is lower for Black women compared with white women, the death rates are higher. It is important to note that Black women also have a lower 5 year survival rate at 77% compared to that of 90% for white women. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, younger Black women up to age 44 have a higher incidence of breast cancer than white women

African American women tend to have poorer survival rates than women from other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. White women are more likely to get breast cancer. Still, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer. Studies have found that they often have aggressive tumors with a poorer prognosis (chance for recovery). Hispanic/Latina women are also more likely to die from breast cancer than white women diagnosed at a similar age and stage. Women from some racial and ethnic groups may be less likely to get breast cancer screening. Also, their breast cancers are often found at a later stage. The chance of dying from breast cancer is higher if a tumor is found at a late stage.

Race is not a risk factor for breast cancer. But, the rates of getting and dying from breast cancer differ among ethnic groups.

Breast cancer incidence is lower among Asian American and Pacific Islander women than for white and African American women. Asian American women who are new immigrants have lower rates of breast cancer than those who have lived in the U.S. for many years. For those born in the U.S., the risk is similar to that of white women (60 percent higher than women born in Asia)

African American women tend to have poorer survival rates than women from other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. White women are more likely to get breast cancer. Still, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer (see graph on front side). Studies have found that they often have aggressive tumors with a poorer prognosis (chance for recovery). Hispanic/Latina women are also more likely to die from breast cancer than white women diagnosed at a similar age and stage. Women from some racial and ethnic groups may be less likely to get breast cancer screening. Also, their breast cancers are often found at a later stage. The chance of dying from breast cancer is higher if a tumor is found at a late stage.