Why are Black women more likely to die from breast cancer? A new study is working to find the answer

The American Cancer Society is launching a new study aimed at determining why Black women are at higher risks for various types of cancer.

The organization announced the Voices of Black Women Study Wednesday. It is the largest study of its kind led by the American Cancer Society.

The goal is to enroll 100,000 Black women across the country between the ages of 25-55. Participants would then be followed for 30 years to see if they were diagnosed with cancer and what types.

The organization says it is looking for participants from Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Study leaders say these areas account for 90% of the nation’s Black population.

Regina Johnes said she is pleased to see a study like this starting. The Wake Forest mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36.

“My husband lived in one city and I lived in another city,” shared Johnes. “Here we are trying to plan a wedding and a move and talking about a family – and everything halted.”

Johnes said she found out she would need surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. She married her husband on April 3, 2011. Two weeks later, she was on the operating table getting a mastectomy.

“We went from being a wife and a husband to a caregiver and a patient.,” she said.

Johnes recalled being the only Black woman in the room for most of her treatment. Her experience led her to become an advocate for women of color receiving cancer diagnoses.

“For me it looked different,” she said. “I was young, I was Black.”

She explained she wanted to help call attention to the health disparities that exist within cancer diagnoses and treatments.

Johnes continued, “Chemotherapy, even how our nails turn dark and black, it’s different from other people."

She said doctors should understand the differences and explain them to patients to help them deal with diagnosis and treatment.

"You need to tell us this, that this treatment is going to look different on you," she said.

"Everyone thought when your hair grows back, you’re good to go, but the damage it actually does to your bones is different.”

Johnes is now a mother of twin girls.

As she prepares to celebrate their eighth birthday in June, she said she is hopeful studies like this can pave a better future for younger generations of at-risk women.

“I don’t want them to hear those words because it was devastating,” said Johnes. “I just want to make sure all of us have a chance not to just survive, but thrive.”

Those interested in enrolling in the study are asked to fill out a survey online through the American Cancer Society’s website.