From health statistics data, we have known for some time that African American women have a higher death rate from breast cancer than women of other racial and ethnic groups. Research within the past few years has revealed a higher prevalence of a certain subtype of breast cancer, called triple-negative breast cancer, among African American women compared to women of other racial and ethnic groups. According to the National Cancer Institute, triple-negative breast cancer cases have the worst prognosis among all subtypes and African Americans have the highest rate of this subtype of breast cancer at every age and poverty level.
In this video, Melanie Nix, an African American breast cancer survivor, talks about her struggles with triple negative breast cancer and how it affected her personally and emotionally. With the strength and support of her husband, children, family and friends she was able to overcome the disease. She talks about the power of information that included resources and information from the National Cancer Institute on cancer.gov. Her story is one of that encourages African American women who are confronted with the disease to keep pushing forward and never give up.
Sources:http://www.cancer.gov/research/progress/annual-report-nation
http://www.cancer.gov/research/progress/discovery/biology-cancer-health-disparities