Topic: New Technology Helps Detect Breast Cancer Earlier in Black Women
Advances in modern technology have posed the new possibility of being able to detect breast cancer in Black women earlier. Now, researchers point to a breast cancer risk model that can help them detect breast cancer sooner and close a crucial gap in healthcare equity.
Addressing the Increased Risk of Breast Cancer in Black Women
Black women in the United States are at an increased risk to develop breast cancer earlier in their lives than white women, as well as receive a more dire prognosis. Until now, there has been a gap in the ability to detect this cancer early on. However, a new prediction model developed by researchers points to a breakthrough.
For some time now, health care professionals have utilized breast cancer risk models and prediction tools to identify women who are at an increased risk to develop breast cancer. These women may then have more frequent exams and screenings, such as receiving additional mammograms.
However, these prediction models and tools have not been successful in addressing the increased risk of breast cancer in Black women. Unfortunately, Black women who have breast cancer develop it earlier in their lives and sometimes have worse outcomes. This has led to a higher death rate from breast cancer among Black women, making a new prediction tool for breast cancer of the utmost importance.
To address this increased risk among Black women and develop a new prediction tool, researchers utilized epidemiologic data taken from three case-control studies of Black women that were from different parts of the United States. Next, the researchers tested how well the model was calibrated by using 15 years of follow-up data that was taken from a Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study, in which there were 51,798 participants.
Researchers found the model to be quite accurate, especially for women who were under the age of 40 years old. In addition, the prediction model was on par with prediction methods used for white women, offering researchers a promising breakthrough in healthcare equity. Furthermore, the prediction model has been made into a simple online tool that is easily accessible and includes a few questions for the women to answer. Its accessibility also makes it easy for healthcare providers to point their patients to it and partner with them to make sure they are receiving the best healthcare possible. To date, the model can be used to predict a woman’s five-year breast cancer risk.
Key Takeaway
A promising new breast cancer risk prediction tool has been made available online and can project a woman’s five-year breast cancer risk. Importantly, this new tool has allowed researchers to address a gap in healthcare equity and help young Black women, who are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer earlier in their lives.
Discussed Topic: New Technology Helps Detect Breast Cancer Earlier in Black Women
