Top Story: Study on Black Women Should Begin Breast Cancer Screening Earlier Than Currently Recommended

Women are recommended to start receiving regular breast cancer screenings at age 50, however studies have shown that Black women may want to start earlier. According to a new study published in April, Black women should start their regular screening around age 42. 

Black women are more likely to face higher mortality rates at every stage of breast cancer, says Dr. Damé Idossa, an assistant professor of medicine and breast oncologist in the division of hematology and oncology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Health disparities like this will continue as black people face structural racism, limiting their access to resources such as an MRI. 

“[Race is] a social construct. It’s not really rooted in biology. Yet we have the consequences of people being labeled as Black having very real health consequences,” Dr. Idossa told Health. “But we can’t ignore the fact that that’s predominantly related to systemic issues.” 

Experts emphasize the importance of more personalized breast cancer screening and care, as it provides better outcomes in addressing mortality rates among different populations.

You can read more about breast cancer in Black women here.