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.