A study of breast cancer detection practices and beliefs in black women attending public health clinics.

The article focuses on the breast cancer knowledge, beliefs and practices in black women. Breast cancer mortality is a particularly serious threat for black women in the U.S. genetic differences, delay in seeking treatment, stage at diagnosis and socio-economic status have been suggested as the reasons for variation in the survival rate of affected women. Older black women with low incomes are the least likely to utilize mammography, breast self-examination and clinical breast exams. This study identified several deficiencies of awareness that could negatively affect preventive behavior, as well as high levels of fear about cancer.