Should Breast Cancer Screening for Black Women Start Sooner?
Breast cancer is still the most prevalent cancer diagnosed in women in the United States and the second greatest cause of cancer mortality. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 49,290 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year.
Recent data published by the American Cancer Society shows black women have a 40% higher death rate from breast cancer than white women. The disparity is even greater among women under the age of 50: the death rate among young black women is double that of young white women. Unfortunately, advancements in treatment have not benefited all groups equally.
What Causes the Disparity in Breast Cancer Rates Among Black Women?
Research shows the reasons for the disparity in breast cancer outcomes is complex. Disparities may be explained in part by social, economic, and behavioral factors. Diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are more common among black women, all of which are risk factors for breast cancer. It is becoming more obvious that tumor biology also plays a role. Triple-negative breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer strike black women disproportionately, and they are more likely to be detected at younger ages and at later stages of the illness.
“It is widely known in the medical community that BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are prevalence in the Jewish community, but what is not widely known is that they are also prevalent in Black women,” shares Debra Monticciolo, vice-chair of the department of radiology and chief of breast imaging at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center. “We also know that Black women have higher death rates and these women have a twofold increased risk for triple-negative breast cancer.”
What’s the Solution?
According to research published in Annals of Internal Medicine, biannual mammography screening starting at the age of 40 might lower breast cancer-related mortality among black women by 15%.
“Minority women should begin screening for breast cancer at age 40 years instead of age 45 or 50 years, as they are 72% more likely to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer younger than the age of 50 years, 58% more likely to have advanced breast cancer at presentation younger than age 50 years, and 127% more likely to die younger than age 50 years compared with white women. We are failing Black women,” continues Monticciolo.
Women with greater resources (such as higher levels of education and wealth) may be better able to take advantage of healthcare breakthroughs. Cities that have tackled this issue by expanding access to state-of-the-art mammography facilities have shown great success in closing the breast cancer mortality disparity between black and white women.
First-of-its-Kind Study to Evaluate Triple Negative Breast Cancer Vaccine
What’s At Stake
According to researchers, triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most dangerous kinds of breast cancer since it does not respond to hormonal or targeted therapy. Studies show that triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 10% to 15% of all breast cancers. It causes a larger percentage of breast cancer fatalities and has a higher rate of recurrence. Black women are also twice as likely to develop this type of breast cancer.
What You Need To Know
The vaccine in the trial targets lactalbumin, a breast-specific lactation protein. After being relocated, this protein is no longer detected in normal, aging tissues, but it is still present in the majority of triple-negative breast tumors. Immune protection against lactalbumin is provided by activating the immune system.
Pre-clinical studies have shown that activating the immune system against this protein has been demonstrated to prevent breast cancers in mice. In animal models, a single immunization could prevent the development of breast cancers while also slowing the growth of existing tumors.
What Is The Objective
In patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, the phase I trial will identify the maximum tolerable vaccination dose.
- Three immunizations will be given to participants, each two weeks apart.
- The study is expected to be completed in September 2022, thanks to the funding from the Departments of Defense.
- According to the clinic, the following trial will include cancer-free people who choose to have voluntary bilateral mastectomies since they are at high risk of getting breast cancer.
“The long-term objective of this research is to determine if this vaccine can prevent breast cancer before it occurs, particularly the more aggressive forms of this disease that predominate in high-risk women.” shares Dr. Tuohy. This vaccine method has the potential to alter the way adult-onset cancers are controlled and improve life expectancy in a way that the childhood immunization program has had.
New Artificial Intelligence System Improves Breast Cancer Detection
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. As of January 2021, over 3.8 million women have a history of breast cancer in the U.S. Mammography has long been the most frequently used imaging tool for breast cancer screening and early diagnosis, although it has its limitations.
Artificial Intelligence
Researchers from New York University have built a revolutionary artificial intelligence (AI) system to increase breast cancer imaging accuracy. To assist physicians in diagnosing, the computer software was programmed to spot patterns among hundreds of breast ultrasound pictures, according to a recent study.
The artificial intelligence tool has improved radiologists’ ability to accurately diagnose breast cancer by 37% when evaluated on 44,755 previously conducted ultrasound tests. Furthermore, the technique decreases the number of tissue samples and biopsies required to confirm tumors by 37%.
The Research Behind The Study
The AI system was created and tested using the NYU Breast Ultrasound Dataset, which contains 5,442,907 pictures from 288,767 breast US tests (including screening and diagnostic exams) gathered from 143,203 patients at NYU Langone Health in New York between 2012 and 2019.
“Our findings highlight the potential of AI to improve the accuracy, consistency, and efficiency of breast ultrasound diagnosis,” explains Farah Shamou, NYU Engineer. “Importantly, AI is not a replacement for the expertise of clinicians. However, the powerful, complementary role that AI systems can play as a decision support tool leads us to believe that they should and will be increasingly translated into clinical practice.”
Ultrasounds are a less expensive option that is offered at more community clinics. According to experts, it is better than mammography in penetrating dense breast tissue to distinguish healthy cells from malignancies since it doesn’t expose the patient to radiation.
Working Through The Kinks
However, the technology has resulted in many false breast cancer diagnoses, causing patients to worry and go through unnecessary surgeries. Many breast ultrasound scans that suggest symptoms of cancer turn out to be noncancerous following a biopsy, according to research.
“If our efforts to use machine learning as a triaging tool for ultrasound studies prove successful, ultrasound could become a more effective tool in breast cancer screening, especially as an alternative to mammography, and for those with dense breast tissue,” said study co-investigator and radiologist Linda Moy, MD.
What’s To Come
While the team’s preliminary findings seem encouraging, study senior investigator Krzysztof Geras, Ph.D., points out that the researchers’ analysis was limited to prior tests. Before the technology can be routinely deployed, it must undergo clinical testing in present patients and under real-world situations. Geras intends to improve the AI program by including more patient data, such as family history or a genetic mutation linked to breast cancer, in order to estimate risk.
The average accuracy increased to 96% when the AI model was used. The results of all diagnoses were then checked against tissue biopsy results.
Breast Advocate Named a Top 5 App for Breast Cancer Support
The Breast Advocate app, the world’s first shared decision-making app for breast cancer surgery, is honored to be named among Make Use Of’s top 5 apps to support those diagnosed with breast cancer. Making this list is yet more evidence that Breast Advocate is succeeding in its mission to help educate and support anyone impacted by breast cancer, giving patients a voice in their treatment planning at such a difficult moment in their lives.
The top 5 list was created by Hiba Fiaz who is currently pursing a degree in Medicine and who has a strong interest in technology. The recognition was published by Make Use Of, one of the largest technology publications on the web.
“Being more educated about a health complication, acquiring methods to track it, having the means to get your questions answered, and receiving mental support are all important measures one can take,” said Fiaz when discussing the top 5 breast cancer apps.
“Being mentioned on this distinguished list is an honor. We strive to provide our app users with the information they need in the palm of their hand to make fully informed breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction decisions,” says Breast Advocate founder Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo. “We hope to continue to extend our reach to women and men across the globe seeking evidence-based information on their many surgical options.”
Breast Advocate was also named as one the best apps “for managing your breast cancer” by Health Central.
Co-created by leading specialists and patient advocates, Breast Advocate is a free breast cancer surgery app that provides ALL your surgical options along with evidence-based recommendations, personalized for you.
Download the Breast Advocate app for iOS or Android HERE.
