Women of Colour

The incidence of breast cancer in different racial, demographic and ethnic groups across the world has been extensively studied including in black women especially in the US. Generally, breast cancer presents slightly less commonly in black women compared to white women. Overall however the success of breast cancer treatment in black women has been shown to be lower and the mortality rate in black women is much higher than in white women. There are many factors contributing to this and there is probably an interplay between lifestyle choices and behaviour, genetic inherited risks, education and socio-economic factors. Some of these are:

Age at Presentation:

It has been shown that black women present later than white women with breast cancer and so the cancer may be more advanced and may have spread by then.
Screening Mammograms: 

In the UK, despite the excellent free NHS screening programme, black women have been found to have the lowest attendance at these appointments. This may be due to fear, modesty issues and language barriers. In the US access to regular screening mammograms may not be available to all due to economic factors.

Obesity and the co-existence of type 2 diabetes in black women may increase the risk of breast cancer in older black women. Being overweight after the menopause is a significant risk factor for breast cancer as excess fat cells may start producing metabolising, breaking down to oestrogen, which can affect the breasts.

Breast cancer seems to more common in younger black women than white women. In the UK the average age for breast cancer in black women is much lower than in white women. 

The cancer types in black women are often more aggressive. Many breast cancer cells have hormone markers on their surface where certain treatments are targeted to work. However, in young black women the cancer cells often lack these hormone markers and so some therapies are not effective, and cannot be offered to this demographic.

It is therefore very important that all young women are educated about being “Breast Aware”,, to be aware of the early changes in the breast which might indicate cancer to present to their GP early, with that abnormality, to  practise a healthy lifestyle to reduce their risk, and to attend screening mammograms when called.by mail invitations.