Categories Health Disparities

Study : Breast cancer disparities among the LGBTQ+ community

Most relevant for: People belonging to the LGBTQ+ community

This study looked at differences in breast cancer treatment outcomes among people from the LGBTQ+ community.  (Posted 6/28/23)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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.

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)

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Article : Breast cancer risk for transgender men with inherited mutations

Most relevant for: Transgender men with an inherited mutation

There is little information related to the risks and treatment options for transgender men and nonbinary people who are at high-risk for breast cancer due to an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. We review an expert viewpoint on the implications of a BRCA mutation for transgender men undergoing breast removal as part of their gender-affirming care plan. (posted 5/19/22)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

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.

Article : Transgender peoples' perspectives of being diagnosed with gender-associated cancer

Most relevant for: transgender people

An ABC News article provides viewpoints and data that conveys the added stress experienced by transgender and gender-nonconforming people when they are diagnosed with gender-associated cancer (e.g., ovarian or prostate cancer) that does not match their gender identity. (posted 9/13/21)

Este artículo está disponible en español.

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.