Black women face a higher risk of dying from various cancers, a comprehensive investigation reveals.
Thanks to advancements in medical treatments and increased detection, cancer mortality rates in the United States have been decreasing since the peak in 1991. However, Black women have the highest cancer death rate for most types of cancer, according to the society.
The disparities between races are particularly noticeable with specific types of cancer. For instance, Black and White women have an equal likelihood of being diagnosed with breast cancer, but Black women are 40% more likely to perish from it. Additionally, Black women are twice as prone to stomach cancer as White women and 2.3 times more likely to die from it.
Historically, Black women have been excluded from the majority of clinical research that primarily focused on White males. The Voices of Black Women study aims to enroll at least 100,000 Black women from 20 states and the District of Columbia, following them for 30 years. The study's focus on these locations is because they are home to 90% of Black women in the US aged 25-55.
The study will inquire about lifestyle factors, medical history, and experiences of racism twice a year to determine potential risk factors for cancer and dying from cancer.
Eligible participants must be Black women between the ages of 25 and 55, without a history of cancer other than basal or squamous cell skin cancer. For more details on joining the study, refer to the society's website.
As the American Cancer Society developed the study, they acknowledged the troubling history of "mistreatment and abuse" of Black women's bodies by science, even though Black women have been given the lowest benefits in comparison to their male and White peers.
"It is crucial that we listen to and address your concerns about research, treat you with respect, and demonstrate cultural humility," the organization stated.
Prior population studies conducted by the American Cancer Society have significantly impacted our understanding of cancer, such as the connection between smoking and lung cancer. The society hopes to see a similar breakthrough with this new research.
"Voices of Black Women marks a crucial move towards achieving health equity in a population that has been ignored for too long," said Dr. Alpa Patel, co-investigator of the study and the Senior Vice President of Population Science at the American Cancer Society. "The data we've gathered in our previous population studies has significantly helped reduce the unacceptably high burden of cancer, but the improvements have not been equitable. By prioritizing Black women's voices and experiences, we can delve deeper into discovering the unique challenges and barriers contributing to cancer disparities and develop customized interventions to combat them."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
