One cancer expert sees the disparity between white and black women as a problem of inadequate access and care.
“The crux of the issue is we need to all realize there is a substantial proportion of Americans who don’t get good health care,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical and scientific officer of the American Cancer Society.
Many black women don’t get treatment within the first year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Brawley said. “We are talking about lousy treatment and no treatment at all as a substantial issue,” he said.
Brawley also said, “We need to fix some of the underlying causes of breast cancer, such as the high prevalence of obesity among black women. Obesity is the second leading cause of all cancer in the United States.”
“We need a concerted effort to get all Americans adequate therapy and prevention,” Brawley said.
To further reduce deaths from breast cancer and close the gap between black and white women, the CDC said better personalized treatments along with screening and getting care after a diagnosis of breast cancer are needed.
Women can help reduce their risk of breast cancer by knowing their family history of cancer, being physically active, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and getting recommended cancer screenings, the agency says.
According to the American Cancer Society, women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms if they wish. Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older should get mammograms every two years, or continue yearly screening if they so choose.