Breast cancer remains one of the most pressing health concerns for women in the United States, but in New York City, the burden falls disproportionately on Black women. While Black women are diagnosed with breast cancer at slightly lower rates than white women, they are nearly 40 percent more likely to die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.
Doctors and advocates point to a mix of systemic barriers and biological factors fueling the disparity. Black women are more often diagnosed at younger ages and with more aggressive forms of breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer. At the same time, gaps in access to early detection, high-quality care, and follow-up treatment continue to widen survival differences.
In New York City, where health care resources vary sharply by neighborhood, these challenges are particularly visible. Hospitals in Manhattan may boast world-class cancer centers, yet women in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens often face longer wait times, fewer screening sites, and insurance hurdles. “Zip code should not determine survival,” said Dr. Monique Gary, a surgical oncologist who has worked with community clinics in underserved areas. “But in many cases, it still does.”
Grassroots organizations have been stepping in to close the gap. Groups like SHARE Cancer Support and Sisters Network Inc. New York Chapter provide free mammogram referrals, peer support, and culturally specific outreach tailored to Black women. During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, local health fairs and mobile screening units will be dispatched across Harlem, Bed-Stuy, and the South Bronx to bring care directly to communities most at risk.
Advocates also stress the importance of education and self-advocacy. Many Black women juggle caregiving, jobs, and financial responsibilities that leave little time for preventive care. “We remind women that your health is not a luxury—it is a necessity,” said Karen Jackson, founder of Sisters Network NYC.
Experts argue that progress will require more than awareness campaigns. Investments in community health centers, equitable access to clinical trials, and diversifying the medical workforce are all seen as crucial steps toward eliminating survival disparities.
For New York City’s Black women, the message this Breast Cancer Awareness Month is urgent but hopeful: early detection saves lives, and community-driven efforts are helping ensure that survival is not determined by race or neighborhood.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
