The Indianapolis Star had a piece yesterday about how black women with a family history of breast cancer are much less likely to get genetic counseling than white women. Researchers are saying that part of this is because of the mistaken belief that breast cancer is a white woman’s disease. Sigh.

While breast cancer is generally more common in white women, mortality rates are higher for black women with the disease. Data also shows that the genetic flaws that greatly increase the risk of getting the disease, known as BRCA mutations, are prevalent in both races. BRCA mutations account for 5 to 10 percent of the 1 million plus cases of breast cancer diagnosed worldwide.

A study that was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association had researchers question 408 women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Of the participants, only 22 percent of the black women received genetic counseling compared to a whopping 60 percent of the white women.

Dr. Katarina Armstrong, a cancer researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, led the study. She suggests that the results may reveal a fear of discrimination and an overall distrust of the medical establishment. Others say it may be black women’s underestimation of their perceived breast cancer risk, as well as a lack of education about the disease.

It may just be me, but I believe that this can all be summed up in one word. I’ll give you a hint -- it rhymes with bacism.