The American Cancer Society recently announced a new landmark study dedicated to investigating the increased rates of cancer amongst Black women.
Titled “VOICES of Black Women,” the study is estimated to be the largest behavioral and environmental population study dedicated to the cause. More than 100,000 Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 from 20 states and D.C. will take part. Recruitment reportedly first started in October of last year as part of a pilot launch in Atlanta and Hampton Roads, VA.
Through the American Cancer Society, short surveys will be provided for the women to answer through an online portal. Two follow-ups are scheduled to be held twice each year; the surveys will be distributed over the course of 30 years.
On their website, leaders of the study confirmed that no experimental testing or treatment will be required to take part.
With the new “VOICES of Black Women” study, researchers are looking into behavioral and environmental contributors that might exacerbate the higher rates of cancer amongst Black women.
“The data we’ve uncovered through previous population studies has been critical in reducing the unacceptably high burden of cancer, but that reduction has sadly not been equal,” said the senior vice president of population center at the Society and a co-principal investigator, Dr. Alpa Patel. “By centering Black women’s voices and experiences, we can dig deeper in uncovering the unique challenges and barriers contributing to cancer disparities and develop tailored interventions to mitigate them.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black people have the highest rates of cancer incidence out of all demographics for a variety of cancers.
For cancers such as cervical cancer and breast cancer, Black women specifically are most likely to pass away, particularly because of the fact that they’re more likely to be diagnosed in later stages.
According to the latest data from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, overall, Black women have an increased 40% death rate from breast cancer; the statistic remains consistent regardless of age as younger Black women below the age of 50 are twice more likely to pass away when compared to Black women. The rate has reportedly remained unchanged in the past decade.
Per NYU Langone, Black women are also genetically predisposed to have more difficult types of cancer, recording higher rates of triple-negative breast cancer due to mutations such as BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2.
With this specific type of breast cancer, Black women are often forced to deal with harder to treat cancer cases that are limited to chemotherapy.
“The American Cancer Society believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat and survive cancer. Acting on this belief and fulfilling the organization’s vision of ending cancer as we know it for everyone requires focus on eliminating deeply rooted barriers that have caused long-standing inequities in cancer outcomes,” said the American Cancer Society. “ The VOICES of Black Women study represents a significant stride towards achieving this goal and underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to health equity and social justice.”
