Trends in breast cancer mortality by race/ethnicity, age, and US census region, United States─1999‐2020

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women in the United States. Previous analyses show that breast cancer incidence increased from 1999 to 2018. The purpose of this article is to examine trends in breast cancer mortality. Methods: Analysis of 1999 to 2020 mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, among women by race/ethnicity, age, and US Census region. Results: It was found that overall breast cancer mortality is decreasing but varies by race/ethnicity, age group, and US Census region. The largest decrease in mortality was observed among non-Hispanic White women, women aged 45 to 64 years of age, and women living in the Northeast; whereas the smallest decrease in mortality was observed among non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander women, women aged 65 years or older, and women living in the South. Conclusion: This report provides national estimates of breast cancer mortality from 1999 to 2020 by race/ethnicity, age group, and US Census region. The decline in breast cancer mortality varies by demographic group. Disparities in breast cancer mortality have remained consistent over the past two decades. Using high-quality cancer surveillance data to estimate trends in breast cancer mortality may help health care professionals and public health prevention programs tailor screening and diagnostic interventions to address these disparities.

The impact of breast density notification on psychosocial outcomes in racial and ethnic minorities: A systematic review

“…Such barriers include socioeconomic factors (cost, insurance, transport), health literacy and language barriers, medical mistrust and actual or perceived discrimination [ 32 , 33 , 47 ]. The implications of reduced access to HCPs and supplemental screening, despite high interest and motivation, is concerning for deepening existing inequities in relation to breast cancer screening and treatment for racial and ethnic minorities [ 18 , 19 , 56 ].…”

“…Consequently, BD notification may cause increased anxiety and confusion, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups such as women with low health literacy, racial and ethnic minorities and including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds [ 17 ]. Moreover, the uptake of supplemental screening, which is not universally covered by insurance in the US nor Medicare in Australia, may be limited to women with financial means and access to these facilities, further exacerbating health inequities which already exist in relation to breast cancer screening and mortality [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Recent trends in hereditary breast cancer incidence by race and age in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa: An 11‐year single‐centre retrospective study (2011‐2021)

“…8 Further, African women are frequently diagnosed with aggressive BC characteristic of early-onset, high-grade tumours and high mortality. 8,9 Even so, the environment plays an important role as African Americans are at a higher risk of BC, while Sub-Saharan Africans have the worst prognosis. [9][10][11] Hereditary breast cancer (HBC) is an aggressive form of BC and accounts for 5-10% of all BC cases.…”

“…Breast cancer is also associated with comorbidities such as obesity and genetic factors like pathogenic sequence variants and large genomic rearrangements 6,7 . Additionally, there are reports of an association between BC and race, where Caucasians are at an increased risk compared to Africans 8 . Further, African women are frequently diagnosed with aggressive BC characteristic of early‐onset, high‐grade tumours and high mortality 8,9 .…”

“…Additionally, there are reports of an association between BC and race, where Caucasians are at an increased risk compared to Africans 8 . Further, African women are frequently diagnosed with aggressive BC characteristic of early‐onset, high‐grade tumours and high mortality 8,9 . Even so, the environment plays an important role as African Americans are at a higher risk of BC, while Sub‐Saharan Africans have the worst prognosis 9‐11 …”