racial disparities

(American Cancer Society) A new American Cancer Society study finds that recent progress in closing the gap in overall cancer mortality between African-Americans and whites may be due primarily to smoking-related cancers, and that cancer mortality differences related to screening and treatment may still be increasing.

(Washington University in St. Louis) Cancer death rates in the United States are highest among African Americans, but a new report shows that in Missouri the disparity in cancer incidence and death between African Americans and whites is declining.

As a result, cancer incidence (the rate of newly diagnosed cases) between the races is equal, although the death rate will probably remain higher for African Americans for some time.

(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) Black women are less likely than white women to receive radiation therapy after a lumpectomy, the standard of care for early stage breast cancer, according to a new study by researchers at The University of Texas M.

D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Research reported at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, April 12-16, suggests that poorer outcomes for breast cancer and prostate cancer among minorities may be due to biologic factors.

In addition, researchers present a new theory on why a recent decline in breast cancer rates was less pronounced among African-American women, and offer data on a relatively simple means of reducing racial disparities in breast cancer care.