A Society-to-Cells approach to evaluating multilevel and interrelated drivers of breast cancer disparities in Black women

TL;DR

This paper explores how societal and biological factors together contribute to higher breast cancer mortality in Black women.

Contribution

It introduces a Society-to-Cells framework to understand and address breast cancer disparities through multilevel interventions.

Findings

Black women face more aggressive breast cancer subtypes and higher mortality despite medical advances.

Structural and cellular factors interact to perpetuate these disparities.

Systemic reforms are needed to address historical and ongoing inequities in healthcare and neighborhoods.

Abstract

Despite advances in detection and treatment, Black women in the US continue to experience more aggressive breast cancer subtypes and higher mortality. Framed through a Society-to-Cells lens, this review presents a comprehensive framework for understanding how multilevel drivers—from structural forces to cellular responses—interact to perpetuate disparities. Addressing these inequities requires systemic reforms targeting root causes, including policies to redress historical neighborhood disinvestment and eliminate bias within healthcare systems.

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