According to medical experts black women die of breast cancer more often than white women. But the numbers in Chicago, are especially alarming.  According to the recent statistics by The Chicago Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force, African American women in Chicago are more than twice likely to die of breast cancer than the whites.

The breast cancer death rate of African – American women is 116 percent higher than whites, according to data released Wednesday by the Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force.

"Through 2003, the black death rate was 68 percent higher than the white death rate", said Dr. Steve Whitman of the Sinai Urban Health Institute. But the "newest data compiled through 2005 shows ... the rate is now 116 percent higher."

"It was as if no screening or treatment was going on for black women, which we knew was not true," said Dr. David Ansell, chairman of the task force, made up of 74 health-care groups and more than 100 breast cancer physicians, researchers and advocates.

Two local groups, Sisters Embracing Life, an Austin-based cancer awareness support group, are being given grants for educating and assisting black women.

"When you don't have insurance, you feel embarrassed to go to the doctor," said Lula Gordon, founder and president of the group. "I tell women, 'You call me, I'll go with you. I'll hold your hand."