6 minute read
Black Women and Breast Cancer
What Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer
For Black women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death, according the American Cancer Society. While Black women and white women get breast cancer at about the same rate, Black women are 40% more likely to die from the disease, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.
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“This is a mind-opening fact that shows disparities exist within breast health,” says Dr. Vivian Bea, section chief of breast surgical oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Dr. Bea says many factors contribute to breast cancer disparities, ranging from social determinants to genetics and tumor biology. She spoke to us about what Black women should know about their breast cancer risk and breast health, and dispels myths about a breast cancer diagnosis.
1. Know The Facts
Researchers are working to better understand why there’s such a big disparity in breast cancer outcomes between Black and white women. Access to care is an issue, but other factors include genetics and tumor biology, says Dr. Bea.
Research indicates that genetics may play a part in this higher risk disparity. Black women are more likely to have triple-negative breast cancer, a rarer but more aggressive form that does not respond to hormonal treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, triple-negative breast cancer is about twice as common in Black women as white women in the U.S.
2. Get Screened
Early detection is the best protection. “Even though Black women are more likely to have triple-negative breast cancer, if we catch these women at the earliest stage of that breast cancer, there is a better chance for survival,” says Dr. Bea. “Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age with the more aggressive tumor subtype, so I recommend going annually starting at the age of 40.”
3. Don’t Believe Myths
There is understandably a lot of fear around a breast cancer diagnosis, but it is important to be aware of the many advances made in care. For example, Dr. Bea says some patients have
Dr. Vivian J. Bea
expressed concern that if they receive a diagnosis of cancer and have surgery, the surgery could cause the cancer to spread. “This is false,” she says.
Women may believe that surgeons will have to remove their breasts, which is also not true. “We can offer modern approaches to breast surgery, such as lumpectomy or breastconserving surgery, which only removes a portion of the breast,” says Dr. Bea. “Those myths may be widening the gap of women not getting their mammograms right now. But it’s important to remember early detection saves lives.”
4. Know Your Breasts
Dr. Bea encourages women to do a breast self-exam every month. “If there is an abnormality, you’d be the first to detect it,” she says. Signs to look for include nipple discharge, a palpable mass (a lump), or any skin changes. Clinical breast exams are important at least yearly with a licensed practitioner.
Dr. Bea hopes that by building trust with her patients and prioritizing education, outreach, and early diagnosis, she can address disparities in the community and save lives. “I have a voice and it’s my duty to use it and be at the forefront of this conversation.”
Equally important is a diverse care team. “NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital has a multidisciplinary team of Black women who treat breast cancer, which is rare,” says Dr. Bea. “If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, it’s important to receive high-quality care, which we offer here with a diverse multidisciplinary department.”
Vivian J. Bea, M.D., is on Twitter at @IamDrVivian. To make an appointment with Dr. Bea, please call 718-780-3022.
Robotic tools, wielded by an experienced team, powers
More than a decade of dedicated work with robotic tools for surgery is paying off for patients, according to Adam M. Kopelan, MD, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI). “Since the mid-2000s, we’ve been using robot-assisted tools for more and more complicated surgeries,” Dr. Kopelan says. “During that time, we’ve become very familiar with how to maximize the advances of each new piece of equipment.”
NBI surgical teams can offer patients robot-assisted surgery for urologic and gynecologic procedures, as well as for elective surgery for the gallbladder, colon, stomach and esophagus and more complex surgical procedures for pancreatic cancer.
WHY A ROBOT?
The advances in robot-assisted surgery tools, like the da Vinci Xi Surgical System used at NBI, have many advantages. “Robot-assisted tools allow us to perform increasingly complicated surgeries using minimally invasive techniques,” says Dr. Kopelan. Tiny tools allow trained surgeons to perform operations without the large incisions required by traditional surgery. And that brings patients many benefits: less pain; faster recovery; shorter hospital stays; less risk for infection after surgery; and less blood loss, so less need for blood transfusions.
During the operation, the surgeon uses robotic arms that are precisely guided by highly advanced computer software, yet the surgeon has 100 percent control of these computer-guided tools. These systems also give the surgical team a clearer view inside the body. The miniature 3D cameras provide live, highly detailed video images during surgery. The team can magnify the view up to 10 times when needed, to better see intricate blood vessels and nerves.
In addition to the experienced surgeons, NBI has a dedicated staff just for robotic surgeries, including registered nurses with special training in the procedures and three robotic surgical systems.
“We have a long history of using these robots,” Dr. Kopelan says. “It’s part of our belief here that minimally invasive surgery should be the standard of care whenever possible, because it’s safer for most patients.”
We have taken all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our patients and our facilities. To learn more about robotic surgery at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, call 888-724-7123 or visit rwjbh.org/newarkbeth
Bold Plans and Big Ideas
Our $100 million renovation project will change the face of the medical center and the Lyons Avenue landscape. The highlight of the project will be the medical center’s new main lobby, an expanded Emergency Department, new advanced heart failure treatment and transplant facilities, continued remodeling of the maternity unit and renovated intensive care units. Learn more at
rwjbh.org/NBIExpansion
Your family has no history of breast cancer. You still need a mammogram.
It’s curious how healthy habits can become go-to excuses. But don’t excuse yourself from getting a mammogram. At RWJBarnabas Health, we offer the latest in comprehensive breast health services including mammograms, 3D mammograms, genetic testing, breast surgery and more — like peace of mind. And with breast health centers conveniently located throughout New Jersey, finding us is simple, too.
Making excuses is easy. Making an appointment is easier. Schedule your visit to the The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Breast Health Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center at rwjbh.org/ mammo or call 973-926-7466.
Let’s beat breast cancer together.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Together RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute offer the most advanced cancer treatment options close to home.
