American Cancer Society launches largest-ever study to probe disparities in cancer outcomes for Black women
The American Cancer Society has launched the "VOICES of Black Women" study to investigate the disparities in cancer survival rates among Black women, aiming to enroll over 100,000 Black women aged 25 to 55 and track them for 30 years. The post American Cancer Society launches largest-ever study to probe disparities in cancer outcomes for Black women appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
(NNPA NEWSWIRE) – The American Cancer Society is embarking on an unprecedented initiative spanning 20 states, including the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, to investigate the troubling disparities in cancer survival rates among Black women.
Despite overall declines in cancer deaths, Black women continue to face disproportionately high mortality rates, a phenomenon the organization aims to address through its newly unveiled “VOICES of Black Women” study.
“While cancer deaths have declined, Black women maintain a high death rate,” said Dr. Lauren McCullough, co-principal investigator and visiting scientific director at the American Cancer Society, during a recent briefing.
“With few exceptions, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer, aggressive tumor types, and have higher cancer-specific mortality rates than other women,” McCullough added.
This disparity is especially pronounced in breast cancer, where Black women face a 40 percent higher mortality rate than White women despite having a lower rate of diagnosis by 4 percent.
Moreover, Black women are 60 percent more likely than White women to succumb to cervical cancer and nearly twice as likely to die from endometrial cancer.
The “VOICES of Black Women” study aims to enroll over 100,000 Black women aged 25 to 55, making it the country’s most significant endeavor of its kind. Participants must be cancer-free upon enrollment and will be tracked for 30 years to examine the impact of medical history, lifestyle factors and experiences of racism on cancer risk and mortality.
“To be eligible for the study, participants must live in one of the 20 states or Washington, D.C., which together account for more than 90 percent of the U.S. population of Black women ages 25 to 55,” McCullough clarified.
The post American Cancer Society launches largest-ever study to probe disparities in cancer outcomes for Black women appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
