Black women are at higher risk of breast cancer. The new FDA ruling gives hope

October is breast cancer awareness month. Black women are roughly 40% more more likely to die from breast cancer than white women and are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages, in later stages, and for more aggressive types of breast cancer.

Earlier this month US Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule that requires summaries of mammography results, including a press release of breast density, to be prepared at the start. This rule could save lives within the Black community because Black women are inclined to have denser breast tissue than white women, which might increase the risk of developing breast cancer and make it harder to identify early symptoms on a mammogram.

Susan G CommentsThe world’s leading breast cancer organization issued a press release on the new ruling: “Knowledge is power, and all women can now have informed conversations with their doctors about the right screening plan for them based on the factors that influence their risk of breast cancer.” including breast density,” Molly Guthrie, vp of policy and advocacy.

“Knowledge is power, and all women can now have informed conversations with their health care providers about the screening plan that is right for them based on factors that influence breast cancer risk, including breast density,” said Molly Guthrie, vp of policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “This may mean that additional tests are recommended to accurately detect breast cancer.”

Breast density is a mammogram measurement of fibrous and glandular tissue, including the lobules and ducts that produce and transport milk, in comparison with fatty tissue within the breast. Dense breasts are common, affecting roughly 40-50% of U.S. women aged 40-74. However, breast density is just one factor that affects a girl’s risk of breast cancer. Age, gender, genetics, family health history and lifestyle aspects all play a big role in an individual’s overall risk. Women with very dense breasts are 4-5 times more more likely to develop breast cancer, and dense breast tissue can hide lumps on mammograms. Komen encourages women to refer to their health care providers about their breast density and whether additional breast imaging could also be appropriate for them.

By September 10, 2024, mammogram reports must include an assessment of breast density. The reports will include general findings – the breasts are dense or the breasts are not dense – and extra details concerning the density level:

• Breasts are almost completely fatty (not dense)
• Breasts have scattered areas of fibroglandular density (not dense)
• Breasts are heterogeneously dense, which can obscure small masses (dense)
• Breasts are extremely dense, which reduces the sensitivity of mammography (dense)

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tens of millions of people have universal access to annual mammograms starting at age 40, without having to share the price for the patient. However, let’s assume that breast imaging is required along with screening mammography. When this happens, patients often face out-of-pocket costs of lots of and even hundreds of dollars, which poses a big financial barrier to accessing the care they need.

“We want everyone to know that dense breast tissue itself does not require additional imaging – it is just one risk factor for breast cancer,” Guthrie added. “For those who need imaging beyond mammography, out-of-pocket costs are often a barrier. That’s why we have advocated for state and federal legislation to eliminate these expenses. We have the technology to detect breast cancer earlier and save lives, and financial barriers should not stand in the way. It is crucial to understand and affordably access the breast imaging tests they need based on their individual risk.”

“The new federal breast density regulations provide women across the United States with meaningful and more consistent information concerning the density of their breasts. Women with very dense breasts are 4-5 times more more likely to develop breast cancer than women with fatty breasts, and a few studies show that black women are more more likely to have dense breasts. Breast cancer health disparities have a profound impact on Black women, and having more information may help women speak up for themselves and have informed conversations with their healthcare providers. Susan G. Komen encourages women to refer to their health care providers about breast density, in addition to their risk of developing breast cancer, and to contemplate which breast imaging test is correct for them,” said Natasha Mmeje, director of community education and outreach at Susan G. Komem.

The Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy is working with state and federal lawmakers to pass laws that may eliminate out-of-pocket spending on imaging tests beyond screening mammography. So far 26 states have eliminated out-of-pocket costs patients covered by state medical health insurance plans for diagnostics and/or additional imaging tests. At the federal level Access to the act on breast cancer diagnosis has been introduced within the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, but is unlikely to be passed on this Congress. Komen calls for legislative motion to remove financial and administrative barriers to breast imaging, ensuring all patients can follow advisable screening guidelines based on their risk.

Additionally, Komen’s ongoing health equity initiative within the Black community, Stand for HER. This health equity revolution is a targeted initiative to scale back breast cancer disparities among the many Black community by 25%, starting in U.S. metropolitan areas where disparities are highest; read more Here.