Community supports aim to fill gaps in culturally informed breast cancer care for Black women

Researchers and community groups in Alberta report that Black women face earlier breast cancer diagnoses and higher mortality, and grassroots outreach, conversation circles and peer navigators are being used to address gaps in culturally informed care.

Researchers and grassroots groups in Alberta are working to address gaps in culturally informed breast cancer care for Black women. Many Black women described facing bias, disbelief and structural barriers when seeking screening and treatment. National and provincial data indicate Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and to experience worse outcomes, while much research and many clinical tools underrepresent Black patients. Community-based outreach and peer-led supports are being developed alongside research to better tailor care. Key findings: - Alberta Health Services recommends screening mammograms every two years for people aged 45 to 74 with no symptoms, but studies show Black women are more likely to be diagnosed younger and outside those routine screening ranges. - National research cited in the article reports Black women are about 45% more likely than White women to be diagnosed before age 50. - Data reported in the article show higher mortality and later-stage diagnoses among Black women compared with White women, and some evidence of more aggressive cancer subtypes in the Black population. - Many Black women who spoke to researchers described experiences of discrimination, disbelief about symptoms, and a lack of culturally relevant information from health-care providers. - Focus groups led by University of Calgary researchers identified mistrust of providers, unconscious bias, cultural stigma and gaps in communication as barriers to screening and follow-up care. - Grassroots groups such as the African Cancer Support Group provide peer navigation, culturally informed education and links between the community and research efforts. Summary: Researchers and community organizations say gaps in race-based evidence and culturally informed services contribute to earlier diagnoses outside routine screening ages and to disparities in outcomes. They report culturally tailored outreach, conversation circles grounded in community knowledge and peer navigators are planned or underway to increase screening participation and follow-up. The combined research and community approach aims to produce evidence that can inform clinical practice and policy in the future.