2024 Stop the Silence National African Breast Cancer 5K Walk/Run: Sisters Network to take over UH Lynn Eusan Park on April 20 [Video]

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We know breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, but it is having an oversized impact on our Black community.

Black women under 35 are two times more likely to be diagnosed, and three times more likely to die of breast cancer, according to data from Sisters Network Inc., the nation’s leading voice on Black breast cancer survivorship.

Even more concerning, Black women of all ages are now 42% more likely to die of breast cancer than women of other backgrounds.

“The statistics are staggering,” said Caleen Allen, Sister Network’s vice president. “We, as an organization, believe there is a Black breast cancer crisis.”

RELATED: Breast cancer trend among younger Black women alarms health advocates

While disparities in health care access contribute to some of these issues, researchers have yet to determine a cause for increased risk to Black women.

Allen said the only certainty is that early detection is needed to save lives, with baseline screenings now …