Doctors urge African American women to get mammograms

Research shows more African American women are getting mammograms than ever before, but experts at Bronson Hospital say the odds are still stacked against them.

“African American women have a slightly lower risk than Caucasian women, but unfortunately they are more likely to die from breast cancer,” said M.D. Christina Jacobs, the Breast Imaging Director at Bronson. “Black women were about 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than Caucasian women.”

Jacobs said social and economic factors like access to health care and insurance have historically affected black women because many get diagnosed later.

“It also has to do with the biology of the tumors,” said Jacobs. “African American women have a higher rate of getting triple negative breast cancer which is a more aggressive breast cancer.”

A recent patient at Bronson, Daphne Ben, is working to flip the script. She got a mammogram in June where doctors discovered cancer. Luckily, they discovered it early.

“You know, no one ever wants to hear the word cancer,” said Ben. “They saw something on my mammogram. They took me right into the next room to do an ultrasound and confirm there is definitely a lump there that looks suspicious like cancer.”

Ben said historically African American’s are not as open about their medical history. Now, she’s speaking with friends and family, encouraging them to get screened. The same goes for men as well.

“Colonoscopy is a piece of cake guys. It’s the prep. It’s truly the prep. But, these …

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