Aggressive cancer more common in African-American women

March 25, 2009 1:55:59 PM PDT
It's known that African-American women have a lower overall rate of breast cancer. But a new study finds they are 3 times more likely than women of other races to develop more aggressive breast cancer. It's also more likely to return after treatment and has a less favorable outcome.

The study in the journal Breast Cancer Research found the odds of black women having something called a triple negative tumor were 3 times higher for black women diagnosed before or after age 50 regardless of weight.

Scientists believe the higher prevalence of these triple negative tumors in all age and weight categories likely contributes to the unfavorable breast cancer prognosis.

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