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Black-White Cancer Death Gap Persists

Colorectal disease rate falls overall, but racial disparity grows

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2008 4:41 PM CST

(Newser) – Even as instances of colorectal cancer in the US decrease, the gap between whites and blacks is growing, new research shows. Black men and women are 45% more likely to die from the disease than whites, HealthDay reports. While rates are lower for both white and black men, the difference between them has increased more than 2 percentage points since 2005, a study tracking incidence over time shows.

States are increasing coverage for screening and testing, and the science is getting better, according to an American Cancer Society report out today. “Tests we have right now allow doctors to detect this killer at its earliest, most treatable stage, or even prevent it altogether” an ACS official said. Colorectal cancer, the third-most-diagnosed form of the disease, kills 49,000 Americans each year.

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Katie Couric and actor Steve Schirripa take part in a celebrity bowling fundraiser for colon cancer research. (AP Photo)

A medical technologist looks through a microscope as she studies blood smears from a cancer patient. (AP Photo)

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There's more work to be done to ensure all Americans have access to these lifesaving tests, and that those who do have access to the tests use them. - Elizabeth T.H. Fontham, Louisiana State University

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Black-White Cancer Death Gap Persists