Studies have found that certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer are more common in women of Caribbean descent

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Yes, feeling a lump in your breast can be a very scary experience.

It’s natural to feel anxious and worried when you discover a lump, as it’s one of the most common signs of breast cancer. However, not all lumps are cancerous, and there are many other possible causes of breast lumps, including cysts, fibroadenomas, and infections.

Today, we are going to speak about breast cancer; a recent study has suggested that Black patients may need breast cancer screenings earlier than what many guidelines recommend

Breast cancer rates are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including genetics, lifestyle factors, and environmental factors. While the exact reasons why breast cancer rates are higher among Caribbean women compared to some other populations are not fully understood, there are several factors that may contribute to this disparity.

One factor is genetics. Some studies have found that certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer are more common in women of Caribbean descent. For example, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jewish women and women of African and Caribbean descent.

BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA. Everyone has two copies of each of these genes—one copy inherited from each parent. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are sometimes called tumor suppressor genes because when they have certain changes, called harmful (or pathogenic) variants (or mutations), cancer can develop.

People who inherit harmful variants in one of these genes have increased risks of several cancers—most notably breast and ovarian cancer, but also several additional types of cancer. People who have inherited a harmful variant in BRCA1 and BRCA2 also tend to develop cancer at younger ages than people who do not have such a variant.

There are other factors that may contribute to the higher rates of breast cancer in Caribbean women include lifestyle factors such as: diet, physical activity, and obesity. Environmental factors such as exposure to toxins or pollution may also play a role.

This new study suggests that Black patients should start screening years earlier, because their risk of breast cancer death in their 40s is higher than that seen in other racial groups.

With data drawn from the National Center for Health Statistics, the authors analyzed data on breast cancer deaths that occurred in the U.S. between 2011 and 2020; in this time frame, more than 415,200 breast cancer deaths were reported.

Among patients in their 40s, the rate of breast cancer deaths varied significantly by race and ethnicity. The rate among Black patients in this age group was 27 deaths per 100,000 people per year. That is compared with 15 deaths per 100,000 person-years in White patients and 11 deaths per 100,000 person-years in American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander patients, respectively.

“Black women tend to reach this risk level of 0.329% earlier, at age 42. White women tend to reach it at age 51, American Indian or Alaska Native and Hispanic women at age 57 years, and Asian or Pacific Islander women later, at age 61,” reported Dr. Mahdi Fallah, a co-author of the new study, and leader of the Risk Adapted Cancer Prevention Group at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany.

The authors concluded that their “Findings suggest that health policy makers and clinicians could consider an alternative, race and ethnicity-adapted approach in which Black female patients start screening earlier,” around 42 years old instead of 50.

It’s important to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your breast, including the appearance of a lump, so that they can perform a thorough evaluation and determine the cause of the lump. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment and recovery.