Black-White Breast Cancer Disparities: TFC Bears Witness

The New York Times’ recent article, “Black-White Divide Persists in Breast Cancer,” highlights a research study exploring the wide disparities in breast cancer survival rates between black and white women.  The article emphasizes stark statistics that The Family Center witnesses in the lives of our client families, their beloved mothers, aunts and grandmothers.  Tragically, despite all the advances in diagnosing and treating breast cancer, black women are still not only receiving inferior treatment, but also simply receiving less health care over all.

“Among black women studied, 20% received a diagnosis of Stage III or IV disease, when the cancer is far less likely to be cured. Among white women, only 11.4% had a late-stage disease.”

–New York Times

In 2012, The Family Center provided legal and social services to 304 cancer-affected clients, 113 of which were specifically impacted by breast cancer.  As nearly 50% of our client families are black, facing late detection, encountering barriers to care and receiving poor medical care are very real –and frightening– aspects of their lives.  Even for our clients with private health insurance, regular doctor visits can be hard to maintain due to other responsibilities, like work and childcare.

“Black patients were also more likely to have at least a three-month delay in receiving treatment.”

–New York Times

The Family Center works with these client families to ensure that they are accessing all the benefits and entitlements that will help them get through the painful difficulties that arise when someone in a family has breast cancer.  We also emphasize the importance of planning for the future care of minor children, regardless of their mother or primary caregiver’s prognosis.  And for those families who must face the loss of a mother or caregiver due to breast cancer, The Family Center works with the new caregiver and the children on grieving and healing.

“Over all, white women with breast cancer lived three years longer than black women.”

–New York Times

The Family Center is grateful for the support of our Board of Directors and numerous donors who support our work with breast cancer -affected families.  We are particularly thankful for the support of Susan G Komen for the Cure -Greater NYC Affiliate, Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert, and Sullivan & Cromwell, all of which fund our expert legal and social services for breast cancer -affected minority women.  If you would like to support The Family Center’s services for breast cancer -affected women, including black women who face the starkest disparities in getting their disease treated, make a donation or volunteer today.

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