“Three days before my 37th birthday, I got a call from my doctor. The benign cyst I had lived with for years was malignant. I had stage 3 breast cancer” — Glenda Lloyd.

Breast Cancer is the second most common cause of death among black women, surpassed only by lung cancer. While black women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than white women, they are dying in disproportionate numbers. The incidence of breast cancer among black women is 10% lower than white women but the mortality rate is 37% higher. The 5-year survival rate for black women is 77% compared to 90% for white women.

Why are black women dying of breast cancer at a much higher rate than white women?

Black women are more likely to receive a cancer diagnosis at an advanced stage of the disease; more likely to be diagnosed with hard to treat tumors; less likely to receive cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Breast cancer disparity has been attributed to increased risk factors, later stage detection, and unequal receipt of high-quality medical treatment. In terms of risk factors compared to white women, black women have a higher birth rate, lower likelihood of breastfeeding, higher prevalence of being overweight and lower propensity for physical activity.

“We know that women of color are getting less care and later care for breast cancer malignancy. The only thing that can change this is education about the importance of proper screening. Community leaders have to work in partnership with the healthcare system to ensure that women of color get the care they need and make yearly screenings part of their culture,” shared Mark Shachner, MD, Medical Director, Women’s Diagnostic & Wellness Center, Broward Health Coral Springs Medical Center.

Black women tend to receive less and lower quality care for breast cancer than white women. Black women also tend to underuse mammography and take a longer time in obtaining a medical consultation after diagnosis.

Socioeconomic factors and race-based discrimination may play a part in care received. Treatment decisions may be based on insurance coverage, access to care, physician-patient interactions, cultural factors, and historic mistrust of the healthcare system.

Glenda Lloyd knows what it’s like to undergo cancer treatment. “The diagnosis of breast cancer was earth shattering. It impacted every facet of my life, physically, emotionally, and financially. The hardest part was watching my 7-year-old daughter have to care for herself because I was too sick. Eventually, I had to send her to live with her father in Texas for a short period of time. I was heart-broken.”

After two years of treatment which included a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, Glenda is doing well—mind, body, and spirit. She credits part of her recovery to Gilda’s Club South Florida, a non-profit organization that provides free support services to men, women, and children touched by cancer. “After my treatment, I thought I was healed but I found out that the scars in my head were worse than the scars on my body. When I began sharing my story at Gilda’s Club, I started to heal. I got the answers and the support that I needed there.”

“Gilda’s Club South Florida is focused on closing the gap of breast cancer disparity among black women. The organization has developed a Women of Color Committee whose mission is to “Raise the Roof’ on breast cancer within the black community. The group is planning outreach, education, and marketing activities to spread the word. Gilda’s Club offers monthly prevention and education workshops for women of color as well as support groups, lectures, and social activities for anyone touched by cancer at no cost,” announced Shelley Goren, Gilda’s Club CEO.

Trina Robinson, NBC 6 News Anchor said, “Women of color need to step up and be champions for each other in the fight against this awful disease. We need to make sure our mothers, sisters, and friends are getting their mammograms and are doing self check-ups regularly. For someone in the news business the medical advances to heal and even stop breast cancer in its tracks are nothing short of remarkable. I commend Gilda’s Club for embarking on this initiative geared toward women of color. So often in medical studies, research and news reporting, the health and concerns of minority women are forgotten or given short shrift. The Women of Color Breast Cancer Initiative should serve as an awakening for greater awareness in the area of Breast Health for Black and Latina women.”

Glenda shares, “I have gone through a life changing experience. I have faced death and now I wake up each morning celebrating life. Amazed by how blue the sky is, how green the grass is, and how every party I go to feels like my party!

“Some women of color keep their breast cancer a secret because they don’t want people feeling sorry for them, or are ashamed or embarrassed. I want them to know that there is nothing they did to deserve this. I want to see more black women who are breast cancer survivors stand up and share their experience. We need to encourage other black women to get regular screenings to prevent anyone else from dying.”

Research has shown that compared to women of other races, African American women are:

- less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer
- more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer, if diagnosed
- more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer that is aggressive and harder to treat, if diagnosed
- more likely to have breast cancer come back
- more likely to die from breast cancer

If you would like more information about Gilda’s Club South Florida and the Women of Color Breast Cancer Committee, please call Dr. Elizabeth Wynter at 954.763.6776, visit www.gildasclubsouthflorida.org or email elizabeth@gildasclubsouthflorida.org.