New Study Tackles Cancer Disparities In Black Women
The risk of dying from cancer has steadily declined in the U.S. over the last few decades, but Black women still have some of the lowest survival rates, as reported…
The risk of dying from cancer has steadily declined in the U.S. over the last few decades, but Black women still have some of the lowest survival rates, as reported by NBC News. According to the National Cancer Institute, although Black women are less likely to be diagnosed with cancer than white women, they are more likely to die of it within five years.
The difference is really big when it comes to breast cancer. Black women die from it 40% more often than white women, even though fewer of them are diagnosed. Also, Black women are 60% more likely to die from cervical cancer and almost twice as likely to die from endometrial cancer compared to white women.
Why Are More Black Women Getting Cancer?
To figure out why these big differences exist, the American Cancer Society started a study called VOICES of Black Women on Tuesday. They aim to sign up over 100,000 Black women aged 25 to 55 in the U.S. This would be the biggest study like this ever done in the country.
The participants must be cancer-free upon enrolling in the study, which will follow them for 30 years to see how their medical histories, lifestyle factors, and experiences of racism affect their risk of developing or dying from cancer.
Participants must live in one of 20 states or Washington, D.C., which together account for than 90% of the U.S. population of Black women ages 25 to 55.
Enrollment starts with a brief registration on the study's website, followed by a survey that asks about medical history, diet, sleep patterns, physical activity, mental health, stress levels, and experiences of racism and discrimination.
Once they are enrolled, participants will be asked to fill out two surveys each year. If a woman develops cancer, the study researchers may ask her permission to reach out to her doctor for more information about her diagnosis. More information on joining the study is available on the society's website.
VOICES of Black Women is described by the American Cancer Society as the largest-ever study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women in the United States.
As the American Cancer Society team constructed the study, it said, it was mindful of the long history of “mistreatment and abuse” of Black women’s bodies used to benefit science, “yet Black women have received the fewest benefits compared to their male and White counterparts.”
“It is important that we hear and address your concerns about research, treat you with respect and demonstrate cultural humility,” said the organization.
