Breast Cancer Survival Rates Lower for African American Women

Posted by Cary Byrd

African American women are about 36-percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Dr. Pat Dawson, breast surgeon at the Swedish Cancer Institute discusses the complexities behind this healthcare disparity, and the various reasons that might explain it. Dr. Dawson mentions that, "...There are reasons related to access, there are cultural beliefs related to women going in for screening, there are issues around having health insurance or not having insurance." It is important to improve survival rates for all women with breast cancer, but it is also important to make sure there are not disparities based on race or ethnicity. For more information about the Swedish Cancer Institute visit: http://www.swedish.org/Services/Cancer-Institute