Can’t Catch Cab

This longitudinal study of 49,161 Black women in the United States, over the course of eight years, found a positive association between racial discrimination—both everyday and major events of discrimination—and breast cancer. In 1995, 64,524 women enrolled and completed a baseline questionnaire that collected their personal and health information, e.g., demographics, psychosocial, medical, contraceptive and reproductive histories, alcohol and other drug use, physical activity and nutrition. In 1997, another set of questionnaires was mailed to 91 per cent of the enrollees (N = 59,000). These measured their experiences with discrimination. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed out over the next six years, in order to determine the incidence of breast cancer. A total of 593 incident cases of breast cancer were reported between 1997 and 2003. After adjusting for factors associated with breast cancer, e.g., age, BMI, education, and medical history, a significant association was found between reported racism in the workplace and breast cancer. Younger women were also found to experience more discrimination than women 50 and over; consequently, there was an elevated incident ratio for women under 50. Women under 50 who experienced workplace racism had a 20 per cent greater risk of breast cancer than women who did not experience race-based discrimination in the workplace. Women who experienced major discrimination in all three areas—job, housing, and by the police—had a 31 per cent greater risk of breast cancer than those who reported no major discrimination. The researchers acknowledge that their conclusions are limited by not having assessed the coping strategies of their sample, which, in previous research, was a telling piece of information. In addition, they note that the sample was more educated (97 per cent completed at least high school) than the national average (85 per cent).

Relevance to the documentary: Because of the sample size and design (longitudinal) of this study, the results are very powerful. That 66 per cent of all respondent have experienced racism at work, in their housing, or by the police underscores the need to redress this societal ill. And the increased susceptibility to breast cancer after exposure to racism solidifies this as a true public health issue. This work contributed to my resolve to proceed with the film. After I heard Dr. Taylor present the study’s findings, I was overwhelmed with the injustice that Black women face in this country. My impression was that no matter how educated or hard working a Black woman is she would still face discrimination based on the color of her skin, and that that discrimination could quite literally kill her.

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Posted by Alejandro on September 16th, 2008 under Research • RSS • Comment, or trackback