Minorities

Hispanic

African American

African-American women are more likely than all other women to die from breast cancer. Their tumors often are found at a later, more advanced stage. So, there are fewer treatment options. Some other reasons for this may include not being able to get health care or not following-up after getting abnormal test results. Other reasons may include distrust of the health care system, the belief that mammograms are not needed, or not having insurance. Also, research has shown that African-American women are more likely to get a form of breast cancer that spreads more quickly.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Latinas. Even though Latinas have lower breast cancer rates than white women, they are more likely than whites to be diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer is more advanced and harder to treat. Yet, even with early diagnosis, Latinas are more likely to have tumors that are larger and harder to treat than white women. They also seem to get breast cancer at younger ages. Researchers do not know why these differences happen.

Breast cancer is a leading cancer among Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander women. Native Hawaiian and Samoan women are more likely to die from breast cancer than many other groups of U.S. women. We do not know why rates vary between different groups of women. A study that looked at breast cancer in the five major ethnic groups in Hawaii found that the tumors of Native Hawaiian women often are found at a later, more advanced stage, and at a younger age. We also know that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women have lower rates of breast cancer screening.

Asian-American women have the lowest death rates from breast cancer compared to other groups of women. But breast cancer is still a very real health threat to Asian-American women. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Asian-American women. For Filipino women, it is the leading cause of death. Japanese-American women have the highest breast cancer rate among Asian-American women. Many experts think that the Western lifestyle might play a role in this high rate.

Pacific Islanders

Asian-American

American Indian/ Alaskan Native

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer death in American Indian and Alaska Native women. Even though native women have lower breast cancer rates than white women, they are more likely than white women to be diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer is more advanced and harder to treat. Also breast cancer rates vary in different parts of the country. For instance, breast cancer rates are highest in Alaska, where native women have rates similar to those of white women. Many native women do not get breast cancer screening, even when it's available to them. The belief that cancer can't be beat is one reason native women might avoid screening.