Race/Ethnicity
Race/ethnicity
White women have the highest possibility of getting breast cancer, while Alaskan Native and American Indian have the lowest.
It turns out that the most common
Like stated before, white women are most likely to get breast cancer, however the mortality rate among African American women is 39 percent higher. Even though the survival rate for African American women has increased over the last few decades, survival
- Biologic and genetic differences in tumors
- Presence of risk factors
- Barriers to health care access
- Health behaviors
- Later stage of breast cancer at diagnosis
Hispanic/Latina Women
The most common cancer among hispanic women is breast cancer.The estimated mortality and incidence in 2007 for hispanic women was lower than African Amercian women and non-Hispanic white women.
The mortalty rate for latina women was 14 per every 100,000, white women 22 per evy 100,000, and 31 per eery 100,000 for Afican American women.
Screening mammography rates among Hispanic/Latina women are now similar to rates among non-Hispanic white women. However, in the past, Hispanic/Latina women were less likely to have regular screening and to get prompt follow-up for an abnormal mammogram. Learn more about breast cancer screening among Hispanic/Latina women.
Native American
A century ago, breast cancer in Native Americans was rare. However, the last two decades have seen major increases in both incidence and mortality rates for American Indian and Alaskan Native women. However, rates of both incidence and mortality remain lower than among white or African American women. In 2007 (most recent data available), incidence among American Indian and Alaskan Natives was 72.2 per 100,000 women and mortality was to 15.7 per 100,000 [32]. Both incidence and mortality vary according to where women live. Women who live in Alaska have the highest incidence rates (similar to non-Hispanic white women) and women who live in the Southwest have the lowest incidence rates [54].
Mammography screening rates are lower among American Indian and Alaskan Native women compared to women of other ethnicities [39]. Learn more about breast cancer screening among Native American women.
Lesbians and women who partner with women
Lesbians and women who partner with women have a greater risk of breast cancer than other women, but this is not because of their sexual orientation. Rather, it is linked to risk factors for breast cancer that tend to be more common in these women such as never having children or having them later in life [55-57]. Lesbian women also tend to have higher rates of obesity and alcohol use, both of which can increase breast cancer risk [55-57].
Lesbian women may also be less likely to get routine mammograms and clinical breast exams [58-59]. The reasons for this are not yet clear. However, lack of insurance, a perceived low level of breast cancer risk and not seeing a health care provider on a regular basis may all play a role [58-59]. For many women, reproductive health issues are their main link to the health care system (for example, during pregnancy). Even when seeing a provider about reproductive health, other health issues are often addressed, including having clinical breast exams or mammograms. But because fewer lesbians have children and therefore, may not seek routine health care, they may have fewer opportunities to have routine breast cancer screening. As a result, breast cancer may not be found at an early as stage, when it is most treatable. One step lesbians can take for breast health is to find a provider who is sensitive to their health issues, and to see that provider regularly—especially for clinical breast exams and mammograms.
Transgender people
At this time, data on breast cancer among transgender men and women are too limited to comment on any increased or decreased risk in these populations. If you are transgender, talk to your health care provider about your breast cancer risk. Your provider can assess your situation.