Michigan Senate Takes Action to Tackle Breast Cancer Disparities for Black Women

When Black women hear the words “breast cancer,” the response often isn’t just fear. It’s a wave of systemic realities—barriers to early detection, limited access to quality care, and the unshakable truth that our lives are disproportionately at risk. Despite significant progress in reducing overall breast cancer deaths over the past 35 years, the benefits haven’t extended equally to everyone, and Black women continue to face an uphill battle.  The American Cancer Society’s latest report brings both good and sobering news. Breast cancer death rates have plummeted by 44% since the late 1980s. These advancements stem from breakthroughs in early detection, better treatments, and increased awareness. But behind the numbers lies a persistent racial gap that reveals whose lives have been saved and whose have not. Black women, particularly younger women, are dying from breast cancer at much higher rates than their white counterparts. This disparity is not about biology alone—it’s about access, advocacy, and accountability.  For Black women aged 20 to 29, the statistics are grim: they are twice as likely to die from breast cancer as white women in the same age group. In Michigan, the gap narrows slightly compared to national trends, but it remains stark. Black...