Strategies to improve health outcomes and care experiences for black women with cancer

It is estimated that 43% of the Canadian population will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and amongst women, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer (accounting for one in four of new cases), followed by lung cancer, colorectal cancer and uterine cancer. Although some cancerous mutations are genetically inherited, most health differences between population groups stem from variations in socioeconomic status and access to healthcare rather than biology. Research shows that neighbourhoods with lower socio-economic status and higher numbers of Black people and other racialized groups have lower cancer screening uptake and adherence to recommendations even in the presence of screening programs. It is important to understand how racialized populations access cancer-care services and to design strategies that can address the barriers that racialized populations may face. This rapid synthesis explores strategies that can be used to improve healthcare experiences and health outcomes for Black women with breast cancer and other common cancers.