It's a sad truth that for the most part, minorities tend to lack health insurance and access to good medical care because of poverty and cultural differences. This means that minorities are more likely to develop and die from cancer because they can't afford to get treated.

Now new research is discovering that money isn't the only cause. Genetics may also have something to do with minorities developing and dying from cancer.

Researchers examined healthy breast tissue samples from 26 black women and 22 white women. One gene involved in cell division and growth, and another gene involved in cellular energy production. Both genes were more active in African American women.

These two genes found in normal breast tissue of African American women may predispose them to developing a more aggressive breast cancer than white women. They'll also develop it at a younger age so they have a higher risk of dying from it. This is sad news for women considering that eating red meat can also increase a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among U.S women after lung cancer. About 400,000 women die from it each year.

Fit's Tips: If you want to do something to support breast cancer patients and survivors, check out Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer.

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