CDC: Breast cancer death rates falling, but disparities remain

Breast cancer death rates fell an average 1.9% annually for white women and 1.5% annually for black women between 2010 and 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported yesterday. While death rates declined at the same pace for white and black women under age 50, they fell faster for white women aged 50 and older, with the largest racial difference among women aged 60-69. “Our latest data suggest some improvement for black women when it comes to disparities,” said Lisa Richardson, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. “First, the decline in deaths suggests that white and black women under 50 are benefitting equally from cancer treatments. Second, we’re hopeful the lack of difference in death rates between black and white women under 50 will start to be seen in older women.” The breast cancer rate has decreased for white women and increased slightly for black women since 1999, resulting in similar breast cancer rates for black and white women in 2013, the report notes.