Disease Information

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too. (SOURCE: American Cancer Society)

African American women face both disproportionate exposure to breast carcinogens and the highest risk of serious health impacts from the disease.  Breast cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer in women between the ages of 20 and 59.  African American women have a 31% breast cancer mortality rate – the highest of any U.S. racial or ethnic group.  African American women are 18% more likely to die from breast cancer because of a genetic predisposition to aggressive forms of cancer. (SOURCE: Breast Cancer Prevention Partners)