Dying to Learn: A Scoping Review of Breast and Cervical Cancer Studies Focusing on Black Canadian Women

Abstract

Background: In Canada, data on race/ethnicity are not routinely collected. Black Canadian women may be under-screened for cervical/breast cancer and may be predisposed to worse outcomes, however data are difficult to find.

Objectives: A scoping review was conducted to identify common themes and gaps in the literature regarding cervical/breast cancer prevention and management in Black Canadian women.

Methods: Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases (2003-2018) and grey literature were searched. Relevant studies were selected, data were charted, and themes were extracted.

Results: Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria. Women from sub-Saharan Africa appear to have lower cervical and breast cancer screening rates; those of Caribbean/Latin American origin appear to have screening rates comparable to the general population; no studies reported prevalence or mortality rates for Black Canadian women.

Conclusion: There is a paucity of health research on breast and cervical cancer specific to Black Canadian women.