Today's Date: March 29, 2024
Make-A-Wish and celebrity wish granters announce goal to recruit 1 million people to become "WishMakers"   •   Parkland Corporation Announces the Results of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders   •   Jamieson Wellness Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Impact Report   •   National University Receives 2024 Military Friendly® Gold Designation   •   Visit Visalia Recognizes Autism Awareness Month in April   •   Anaergia Announces Delay in the Filing of Its Audited Financial Statements and Related Disclosures   •   Amerex Group Unveils Red Carter Swimwear's Revitalized Collection   •   e.l.f. Cosmetics Debuts TikTok Shop Super Brand Day   •   VIRGIN HOTELS CHAMPIONS INCLUSIVE TRAVEL FOR NEURODIVERSE TRAVELERS   •   YMCA of the USA Partners With Old Spice To Increase High School Graduation Among Boys And Young Men Of Color Through Mentorship   •   Fosun Management on 2023 Annual Results: Focusing on Core Industries with Established Advantages   •   Chosgo K23: One of the Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids for Seniors   •   Anaergia Announces Escrow Closing of Second Tranche of the Strategic Investment   •   Re:wild and Colossal Biosciences team up to leverage revolutionary technology to save critically endangered species on the brink   •   Equalpride Partners with TransLash Media for Trans Day of Visibility, Amplifying Voices of Black Trans Femmes in the Arts   •   Naropa University Launches Pioneering Psychedelic Minor     •   Coachella Concerned That People Have Sex, Says AHF   •   Sypher Secures Strategic Partnership with FAIA to Fuel Growth   •   Syngenta Group reports $32.2 billion sales and $4.6 billion EBITDA in 2023   •   Midea Group releases its first-ever ESG brand story with an unexpected VIP visit highlighting its commitment to sustainability.
Bookmark and Share

Survey, Leadership Summit Examine Breast Cancer Disparities in Black Women

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2009

 

CONTACT:

    Denise Espie

    despie@blackwomenshealth.org

    202-548-4000                                                                        

 

Survey, Leadership Summit Examine Breast Cancer

Disparities in Black Women

 

April 30, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eighty-seven percent of Black women say late-stage diagnosis is the major factor contributing to poorer outcomes for Black women with breast cancer, according to a survey released today by the Black Women’s Health Imperative (Imperative).

 

While death rates for most cancers have declined overall, racial and ethnic disparities in breast cancer morbidity and mortality continue to persist. Black women under age 40 have a greater incidence of invasive breast cancer than white women in the same age range. Despite a 10 percent lower incidence, Black women have a 37 percent higher breast cancer death rate than white women. Triple-negative breast cancer – an aggressive and hard to treat form of the disease – is three times more common in Black women.

 

Additional factors that contribute to breast cancer disparities in Black women, according to survey respondents, include a lack of access to treatment and care (75 percent) and poor quality of care (65 percent).

 

“The results of the survey provide a snapshot of what Black women believe are the most pressing issues for them related to breast cancer,” said Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, president and CEO of the Imperative.

 

A link to the online survey was sent to 2,280 Black women across the country. More than 280 responded saying that fear (70 percent) and lack of access to quality care and treatment (69 percent) are major issues affecting Black women’s survival. Ninety percent of respondents believe that breast cancer awareness and education should be a priority for the Imperative. Advocacy and social support are also important priority areas according to women who participated in the survey.

 

“There remains a critical unmet need for breast cancer education among Black women. The findings from the survey show that Black women recognize the vital need for additional information while noting the absence of leadership to address breast cancer disparities among Black women,” said Hinton Hoytt.

 

A preview of the survey findings were presented at the Imperative’s first Breast Cancer Leadership Summit held earlier this month. The groundbreaking meeting opened with remarks from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), a breast cancer survivor.

 

“There are great disparities in survival rates based on race, ethnicity and age. I am a true believer in the mission of the Black Women’s Health Imperative,” said Representative Wasserman Schultz. “We don’t want to alarm people but we can and we must reduce the number of young women dying from breast cancer. We can do that by passing legislation to educate young women and providers of the risks.”

 

The survey and leadership summit are part of the Imperative’s year-long effort to understand the scope and scale of breast cancer disparities among Black women. The leadership summit, held on April 3 in Washington, D.C., brought together a cadre of experts, survivors and organizational leaders to collectively examine the knowledge base on breast cancer among Black women and identify strategies for supporting national and community leadership on breast health policies and programs.

 

Included among these experts were two national organizations—National Coalition of 100 Black Women and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and three community-based groups—the Center for Black Women’s Wellness in Atlanta, GA, Boston Black Women’s Health Institute and Philadelphia Black Women’s Health Alliance—that have agreed to serve as advisors to the development of a national agenda for mobilizing Black women in support of breast cancer education, early detection, treatment and survivorship for Black women.

 

“This is the beginning of a national movement for Black women. Our vision is for Black women across the country to be engaged in breast health as community advocates, leaders, clinicians, researchers and survivors,” said Hinton Hoytt. “We are fortunate to have the support of some of the leading researchers, clinicians and advocates in the country.”

 

To receive a copy of the survey findings, along with a fact sheet and an issues brief on Black women and breast cancer, please contact Denise Espie at 202-548-4000 or despie@blackwomenshealth.org.

 

###

 

About the Black Women’s Health Imperative

The Black Women's Health Imperative is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education, advocacy, research and leadership development organization that focuses on health issues that affect Black women disproportionately. It is the only national organization devoted solely to ensuring optimum health for Black women across their life span – physically, mentally and spiritually.

 

 
 
 


Back to top
| Back to home page
Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News