Closing Health Equity Gap of Breast Cancer Incidence & Mortality

WHEREAS, the NAACP recognizes that cancer is the second leading cause of death in communities of color; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, African American communities bear a disproportionate share of the cancer burden, having the highest death rate and the lowest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers; and

WHEREAS, the 5-year survival rate is lower in African American communities than in whites for every stage of diagnosis for most cancer sites, though the lifetime probability of developing cancer among African American women is 34%, compared with 39% among white women; and (staff check statistics – stat is correct); and

WHEREAS, a recent study by the American Cancer Society and other researchers found that differences in access to care and tumor characteristics were the most important factors contributing to the higher risk of death among younger black patients; and

WHEREAS, the underrepresentation of black skin clinical trials does exacerbate survival disparities by limiting knowledge about the efficacy of therapeutic agents in diverse populations. In 2012, only 17% of industry-funded clinical trial patients were from a racial/ethnic minority group, despite representing one-third of the US population.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP advocate for continued progress toward equitable cancer outcomes by requiring expanding access to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment for African Americans.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP renews it's collaboration with the American Cancer Society, and other appropriate groups, to advance health equity for blacks in order to address disparities related to breast cancer in women.