New study finds Black women are less likely to be informed about lifesaving resources related to genetic testing

The discovery of genetic mutations that make women more susceptible to breast cancer means that many people with a family history can take steps to reduce their risk. However, a new study finds that Black women face more barriers to getting genetic testing and are less likely to be informed about the life-saving measure in the first place.

Denise Pittman is a breast cancer survivor. Her mother and aunts also battled the disease.”I didn’t know anything about genetic testing, but I was always interested,” Pittman said. When I was diagnosed, I had a nurse navigator who actually told me about genetic testing, so I did it.

Dr. Bridget Oppong, a surgical oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, said: “If you have genetic information that can help you monitor yourself in different ways and customize your overall health care as you get older, I think that’s reasonable.” Black women are particularly at risk for aggressive breast cancer, with a 42% higher mortality rate than white women.

A study by researchers at the Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center found that Black women also face increased barriers to genetic testing, including financial stress, more pressing health concerns, and lack of access to medical specialists. There was found.

“They’re not being tested at the same rate,” Oppong said. “They have more advanced cancers and are not getting the same treatment or completing their treatment as before.” The initiative, called Turning The Page On Breast Cancer, will help. This website provides education about screening, quizzes to assess risk, and support for people considering genetic testing. Resources to help women be proactive.

“Look at how many lives could have been saved just by knowing what to do,” Pittman said. Earlier this year, our local 4’s Megan Woods underwent genetic testing for breast cancer due to a family history of breast cancer.