Willis-Knighton oncologist highlights late-stage breast cancer diagnoses among African American women

SHREVEPORT, La. — While breast cancer doesn’t occur more often in African American women than in white women, doctors say Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages — a gap that can have life-threatening consequences.

Dr. Joyce Feagin, an oncologist with Willis-Knighton Health, says awareness and access to early screening are key to improving outcomes.

According to the American Cancer Society, African American women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite having similar overall rates of the disease. Doctors say this disparity is linked to a combination of social, economic, and biological factors — including limited healthcare access and differences in tumor biology.

Feagin says one of the best ways to close that gap is through educa