Categories Racial and Ethnic Differences

26 February 2025

Study : Neighborhood affects prostate cancer risk in men of West African ancestry

Most relevant for: Men with West African ancestry

Black men of West African genetic ancestry have a much higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men of other races. The risk is even greater when they live in deprived or disadvantaged neighborhoods.  (Posted 2/26/25)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

14 December 2023

Study : Genes, genetic counseling and disparities in endometrial cancer

Most relevant for: People diagnosed with endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is on the rise, and it can run in families. Genetic counseling has benefits for people with cancer and their family members. However, Black women with endometrial cancer more often have worse outcomes than white women.  Black women with endometrial cancer who test positive for an inherited mutation are less likely to see a genetic counselor. Given these disparities, Black women would benefit from better access to and referrals for genetic counseling. (Posted 12/14/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

11 March 2023

Study : Systemic racism may delay breast biopsy for Black and Asian people

Most relevant for: People who have had an abnormal mammogram

Black and Asian people are more likely to have to wait more than 90 days between an abnormal mammogram and a biopsy compared to white people. After accounting for other factors, the authors conclude that these disparities may be due to systemic racism. (Posted 3/8/23)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

20 December 2022

Topic : Cancer disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native populations

Most relevant for: Americans Indians and Alaska Natives

The American Cancer Society released a special section in their 2022 Cancer Facts & Figures report that discussed cancer disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native populations in the United States. This review highlights the special section’s main points, including disparities in cancer screening, diagnosis and survival rates in native communities, as well as factors contributing to those disparities. (Posted 12/20/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

16 September 2022

Study : Expanding Medicaid reduced racial disparities among people with metastatic breast cancer

Most relevant for: People diagnosed with de novo stage 4 breast cancer and people who live in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

The Affordable Care Act allowed more people to access insurance through Medicaid. This study found the expansion of care improved survival and decreased mortality among people of color with de novo stage 4 (stage 4 at the time of initial diagnosis) breast cancer.  (Posted 9/13/2022). Este artículo está disponible en español.

23 August 2022

Study : Clinical trial eligibility excludes more Black than white patients

Most relevant for: People with pancreatic cancer who are interested in participating in a clinical trial

Eligibility criteria stating who can and cannot participate in clinical trials are necessary. However, traditional eligibility criteria have led to the exclusion of Black people in pancreatic cancer clinical trials. This exclusion restricts patient access to new drugs and limits the ability to generalize results to the population of patients who will ultimately use the drug. Revising eligibility criteria, especially for patients with pancreatic cancer, may improve clinical trial access among Black people. (Posted 8/23/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

16 August 2022

Article : Rise in endometrial cancer affects Black women more than white women

Most relevant for: People concerned about their risk for endometrial cancer

The New York Times calls attention to the increase in a type of cancer of the uterus called endometrial cancer and how it disproportionately affects Black women. The article provides useful information about endometrial cancer while raising awareness of a significant and growing health disparity.  (Posted 8/16/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

22 March 2022

Study : New tool to predict breast cancer risk for Black women

Most relevant for: Black women in the U.S.

An important part of making decisions about breast cancer screening and prevention is knowing your breast cancer risk. Specific tools are used to identify people who would benefit from early and/or additional screening and chemoprevention or those who would most benefit from genetic counseling and testing. Because these tools were developed using data mostly from white women, they are unable to predict cancer risk as well for Black women. To begin to address these gaps, researchers developed a new tool specifically designed to predict breast cancer risk for Black women. This tool has been shown to work well, especially for younger Black women. (posted 3/22/2022) Este artículo está disponible en español.

15 March 2022

Study : The chance of a second breast cancer is higher among some Hawai'ian women

Most relevant for: women of Hawai’ian, Filipino or Asian American ancestry.

Women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer, are more likely to have a second breast cancer diagnosis if they are of Native Hawai'ian, Filipino or Japanese ancestry than women of other racial or ethnic groups. (posted 3/15/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

13 August 2021

Study : Frequency of inherited mutations linked to breast cancer are similar in Black and white women

Most relevant for: Non-Hispanic Black and white women with breast cancer

The CARRIERS study looked at the rate of inherited mutations in women with and without breast cancer. In an extension of the CARRIERS study, researchers found no difference in the frequency of inherited mutations in breast cancer genes among Black and white women with breast cancer. A few individual genes differed in frequency: BRCA2 and PALB2 mutations were seen more often in Black women, while CHEK2 mutations were seen less often. Researchers concluded that race should not be used to determine who is referred for genetic testing. (posted 8/13/21)

Este artículo está disponible en español.