Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Addressing Racial Disparities in Detection, Treatment, and Outcomes

By Ahndrea Blue | The Seattle Medium | Word In BlackThis& post& was originally published on& Seattle MediumCredit: Susan G. Komen 3-Day/Unsplash(WIB) – Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a compelling reminder of the progress made in the fight against breast cancer. The pink ribbons, walks, and campaigns are vital in raising awareness and encouraging early detection. Yet, amid the sea of pink, we must confront a harsh reality—racial disparities persist in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Women of color in the United States face higher mortality rates, delayed diagnosis, and less access to quality care than white women. This is not just a medical issue; it’s a matter of social justice.Ahndrea Blue is the Founder and President/CEO of Making A Difference Foundation. (Courtesy photo)While the overall breast cancer mortality rate has declined over the past few decades, these improvements have not been experienced equally across all racial and ethnic groups. Black women, for instance, are diagnosed with breast cancer at slightly lower rates than white women, but they are about 40% more likely to die from the disease. This disparity is particularly stark when it comes to triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive form of the disease...