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Racial disparity in breast cancer survivorship: themes from a series of four national healthcare provider live virtual forums

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A Correction to this article was published on 22 July 2023

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Abstract

Purpose

Significant disparity exists in the diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship outcomes among Black breast cancer (BC) survivors. Black BC survivors have more significant survivorship issues and a greater burden of illness than White counterparts. Barriers to rehabilitation exist for all BC survivors but are magnified in Black BC survivors. The purpose of this qualitative research was to document patient, clinician, and researchers’ perceptions surrounding contributing factors, lived experiences, and potential solutions to racial disparity in BC survivorship.

Methods

A narrative approach was utilized to identify themes from a series of four virtual healthcare provider forums that explored lived personal and professional experiences, issues, and potential solutions surrounding racial disparity in BC survivorship. Forums included perspectives of patients, healthcare providers, researchers, and stakeholders in the BC field. An independent thematic analysis was performed by the investigators, all of whom have emic perspectives with respect to race and/or BC.

Results

Three main themes were identified related to racial disparity in BC survivorship: (1) societal and cultural contributing factors, (2) contribution of healthcare providers and systems, and (3) models of care and research considerations.

Conclusions

The findings provide compelling documentation of lived personal and professional experiences of racial disparity in BC survivorship. Potential solutions exist and must be enacted immediately to ensure equitable survivorship outcomes for Black individuals following a BC diagnosis.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Increased awareness related to racial disparity in BC survivorship among survivors, healthcare providers, and researchers will contribute to health equity and improved outcomes for Black individuals.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the contributions of the moderators and panelists: Prisca Collins, PT, PhD, Associate Professor, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL; Lorraine Dean, ScD, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Jemea Dorsey, MS, BA, President and CEO, Center for Black Women’s Wellness, Atlanta, GA; Krystal Gross, BS, Logistics Expert, Pink Warrior, Atlanta; Joy Jenrette, JD, BSE, Breast Cancer Advocate; Consuelo Ross, CPN, President and Founder, Surviving the Odds, Inc., Kansas City, MO; Robert Smith, PhD, Senior Vice President for Cancer Control, American Cancer Society, Atlanta; Nicole L. Stout DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Research Assistant Professor, West Virginia University Cancer Institute and Associate Director of the Survivorship Program, Morgantown, WV; Tiah Tomlin, MS, Co-Founder, My Style Matters; Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD, Radiation Oncologist and Executive Director, Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, Nashville. In memory of Joy Jenrette.

Funding

Winship Cancer Institute Mini Grants Program, Atlanta, GA.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Jill M. Binkley & Janae Finley

  2. Global Access to Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Community Partnership Initiative, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Jill M. Binkley, Sheryl Gabram, Janae Finley & Lisa VanHoose

  3. Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Sheryl Gabram

  4. The Vow of Wellness, LLC, Roswell, GA, USA

    Dawnovise Fowler

  5. College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE, USA

    Lisa VanHoose

  6. The Ujima Center, Monroe, LA, USA

    Lisa VanHoose

  7. Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Lauren E. McCullough

Authors
  1. Jill M. Binkley
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  2. Sheryl Gabram
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  4. Dawnovise Fowler
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  5. Lisa VanHoose
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  6. Lauren E. McCullough
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception, design, analysis, and manuscript review and editing. Jill M. Binkley wrote the first manuscript and all authors contributed to and edited subsequent manuscripts. All authors read and approved final manuscript. In addition to these roles, Jill M. Binkley and Lauren E. McCullough led funding acquisition.

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Correspondence to Jill M. Binkley.

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Conflict of interest

The authors no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control/the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

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Binkley, J.M., Gabram, S., Finley, J. et al. Racial disparity in breast cancer survivorship: themes from a series of four national healthcare provider live virtual forums. J Cancer Surviv 17, 1008–1016 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-023-01373-6

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