Updated July 26th, 2023

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer More Deadly Among Black Women, According to New Research from Washington University School of Medicine

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Racial Disparity in Cancer Care

New research from the Washington University School of Medicine shows that non-Hispanic African American women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer have worse outcomes than non-Hispanic white women with this type of breast cancer.
Racial disparities in cancer care mean that Black people have worse outcomes and treatment options.
Triple-negative breast cancer can be screened for via mammogram; women aged 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.

Racial inequality is a sad and abhorrent fact of life in America, and it extends to cancer care outcomes, too.

New research published this week from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that non-Hispanic African American women diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer have worse outcomes than non-Hispanic white women with this type of breast cancer. (Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease. It means that the cancer is not being fueled by any of the three main types of receptorsestrogen, progesterone or the Her2 protein. Because of this, the cancer won't respond to certain targeted therapies including hormone therapy or Her2-targeted agents like Herceptin.)

“The study demonstrates the need for additional research to address disparities in cancer care and understand whether tumor biology or nonbiological reasons such as systemic racism or a combination of such factors may prevent African American women from receiving the same quality of care as white women,” reports the university.

Related: Breast Cancer: Overview

African Americans had a 28% increased risk of death from triple-negative breast cancer compared to Americans of European descent. “This disparity was at least partially due to lower rates of surgery and chemotherapy among African American patients,” the report states.

Close the Gap in Cancer Care

Racial injustice isn’t just a problem in policing, schools, and the U.S. prison system it’s everywhere, including cancer care. In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet, Atlanta-based oncologist Dr. Anita Johnson outlines ways to close the gap in cancer care.

“The mortality rates for African-American women is substantially higher than Caucasian women. They often present with triple-negative breast cancer, which is a more aggressive type of breast cancer that always requires chemotherapy and has a higher recurrence rate,” Dr. Johnson says. “I’m here in Atlanta, where we have some of the highest death rates from breast cancer in the country.”

“And so when we look at different metropolitan areas where there are more black women, but still, they’re not being screened adequately,” says Dr. Johnson. “And then when we look at the stage for stage, the outcomes are much worse as compared to Caucasian women. When we look at the standard of care treatment options based on stage, in some cases, African-American women are not being treated with the same standard of care treatment options.”

Breast Cancer Surgeon Explicitly Lays Out Ways We Can Close the Gap in Racial Disparity: "Access to Care is Key!"

Screening for Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer can be detected via mammogram. Women aged 45 and 54 should have annual mammograms; women with a history of breast cancer in their family should begin screening even earlier. Dr. Connie Lehman, the chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, emphasizes in an earlier interview how mammograms save lives. She says, "If you haven't gone through menopause yet, I think it's very important that you have a mammogram every year. We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving."

"After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years," says Dr. Lehman. "But what I'm most concerned about is the women who haven't been in for a mammogram for two, three, or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives."

When Should I Get a Mammogram?

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