Left Behind: The Unmet Need for Breast Cancer Research in Mississippi

Background/Objective: Mississippi has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the nation, yet there remains a limited understanding of the factors currently contributing to breast cancer in the state. This systematic review aims to provide insights into breast cancer epidemiology, disparities, and outcomes in Mississippi by synthesizing existing research published over the past 25 years. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar identified studies published between 2000 and 2024 that focused on breast cancer in Mississippi. Quality appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, and a narrative synthesis approach was used to analyze the findings. Results: The initial literature search yielded 33 articles. After removing duplicates, screening titles and abstracts, and conducting a full-text review, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed significant racial and geographic disparities in breast cancer incidence, mortality, and access to care. Black women in Mississippi are more likely to be diagnosed in later stages and experience worse outcomes, primarily due to socioeconomic disadvantages, healthcare access barriers, and structural inequities. Geographic barriers, particularly in rural areas, further worsen these disparities. Conclusions: This review identified a scarcity of breast cancer research in Mississippi over the last 25 years, with only three studies in the past 5 years, leaving critical knowledge gaps in understanding current dynamics. This review highlights an urgent need for expanded, Mississippi-specific breast cancer research to better understand the factors driving disparities and to develop culturally tailored, evidence-based interventions to address breast cancer disparities.