This article is part ofBreast Cancer in Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Black women have the lowest breast cancer survival rate, regardless of the stage at diagnosis.
Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
Younger Black women are especially at risk.
The incidence of breast cancer in females younger than age 50 has been rising.
Other types of breast cancer include:
HR+/HER2- Subtype
HR+/HER2- subtype is the most common.
When treated before it has spread, it can have a 100% five-year survival rate.
Yet Black women with this diagnosis have worse outcomes than any other ethnic group.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every other year from ages 40 to 74.
These include:
Inflammatory breast cancer can present with symptoms that mimic an infection.
Some known risk factors for breast cancer also include:
Environmental exposures may be a factor.
They are also diagnosed at a younger age.
If cancer is suspected, a biopsy will need to be done.
It may require chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.
Local treatment options include surgical removal of breast tissue and radiation therapy.
These are the most commonly performed procedures in breast cancer patients and are often used together.
An oncologist (a specialist in cancer treatment) will lead the care team and manage your care.
They will share pertinent information with your primary care provider.
Breast cancer in Black women is more often fatal than in other ethnic groups.
Black women also face barriers to care.
More inclusive research is needed to bridge the gaps in understanding the race-associated differences that exist.
American Cancer Society.Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024-2025.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.Breast cancer symptoms.
2023 Dec;10(6):3168-3177. doi:10.1007/s40615-022-01491-4.
2024 Apr 1;7(4):e244862.
doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4862
American Cancer Society.Types of breast cancer.
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Breast cancer: screening.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Breast Cancer web link Australia.Risk Factors.
2022 May;72(3):202-229. doi:10.3322/caac.21718
American Cancer Society.Treating breast cancer.
