The American Cancer Society released an important new report on the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The data finds that breast cancer mortality rates overall have decreased by 44% since 1989.

Despite the encouraging news, disparities still remain.

The report said rates remain unchanged over the past three decades for American Indian and Alaska Native women.

There's also been upward trend in breast cancer incidence in women under 50 and Asian American Pacific Islander women of any age.

Dr. Arnold Baskies, the past chairman of the National Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society, shared what may the cause behind these ethnic differences.

"There's much more that needs to be unwrapped in terms of why there is this ethnic difference," the doctor said. "But, we do know that there are environmental factors [and] there are socioeconomic factors that implicate and do have an effect."

The doctor said they can continue making a difference in these women's lives by studying those factors and getting better access to care.