Breast cancer remains the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that in 2024, over 310,720 invasive breast cancer cases and 56,500 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (stage 0) will be diagnosed nationwide. While a 42% reduction in breast cancer mortality over the past three decades reflects improved awareness, early detection, and advanced treatments, significant disparities persist between Black and white women in the U.S.
A Persistent Mortality Gap
ACS data reveal a glaring disparity in breast cancer outcomes. While incidence rates are comparable between Black and white women, the mortality rate among Black women is 38% higher. Among women under 50, the disparity is even starker: Black women in this age group face double the mortality rate of their white counterparts. Although advancements in detection and treatment have reduced overall mortality, these breakthroughs have not equally benefited all demographics, with these gaps remaining for over a decade.
