# Left Behind: The Unmet Need for Breast Cancer Research in Mississippi

## TL;DR

Mississippi has the highest breast cancer death rate in the U.S., with Black women and rural residents facing significant barriers to care and late diagnoses.

## Contribution

This systematic review identifies critical gaps in breast cancer research specific to Mississippi and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions.

## Key findings

- Black women in Mississippi are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer due to socioeconomic and healthcare access barriers.
- Only 15 studies on breast cancer in Mississippi have been published in the past 25 years, with just three in the last five years.
- Rural geographic barriers worsen disparities in breast cancer outcomes and access to early detection and treatment.

## Abstract

Mississippi has the highest death rate from breast cancer in the United States, yet major gaps remain in understanding the factors currently contributing to breast cancer in the state. This study aimed to provide valuable insights into breast cancer epidemiology, disparities, and outcomes within Mississippi. We conducted a comprehensive review of all available research on breast cancer in Mississippi from the past 25 years. Our findings indicate that many women, especially Black women, are diagnosed in later stages when the disease is more difficult to treat. Barriers such as cost, lack of health insurance, and long travel distances make it harder for many women to receive timely screening and care. Despite these challenges and the state’s high death rate, research on breast cancer in Mississippi remains limited, with only 15 studies published over the last 25 years. Our findings highlight the urgent need for more state-specific research to understand the factors contributing to breast cancer disparities in Mississippi and to develop effective strategies to reduce breast cancer deaths and ensure that all women have access to early detection and high-quality care.

Background/Objective: Mississippi has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the nation, yet there remains a limited understanding of the factors currently contributing to breast cancer in the state. This systematic review aims to provide insights into breast cancer epidemiology, disparities, and outcomes in Mississippi by synthesizing existing research published over the past 25 years. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified studies published between 2000 and 2024 that focused on breast cancer in Mississippi. Quality appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, and a narrative synthesis approach was used to analyze the findings. Results: The initial literature search yielded 33 articles. After removing duplicates, screening titles and abstracts, and conducting a full-text review, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed significant racial and geographic disparities in breast cancer incidence, mortality, and access to care. Black women in Mississippi are more likely to be diagnosed in later stages and experience worse outcomes, primarily due to socioeconomic disadvantages, healthcare access barriers, and structural inequities. Geographic barriers, particularly in rural areas, further worsen these disparities. Conclusions: This review identified a scarcity of breast cancer research in Mississippi over the last 25 years, with only three studies in the past 5 years, leaving critical knowledge gaps in understanding current dynamics. This review highlights an urgent need for expanded, Mississippi-specific breast cancer research to better understand the factors driving disparities and to develop culturally tailored, evidence-based interventions to address breast cancer disparities.