Engaging African Americans in Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies: A Partnership Between a Community Cancer Center and the African American Community in Delaware

Abstract

Although breast cancer incidence has been stable for non-hispanic
whites since the early 2000s, incidence rates of invasive
breast cancers in African Americans (AA) are rising (0.9%/
year 2005-2014).1 This is especially true for younger black women.
Breast cancer incidence in black women under 45 years has recently
surpassed that of their white counterparts.2 This is concerning
as breast cancer specific mortality is higher in African Americans
than all other races. Although many breast cancer risk factors have
been identified, there is a need to develop breast prevention strategies
specifically targeting the AA community.