PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — More black women are getting cancer and a new study aims to find out why.
The study is looking to enroll 100,000 black women in hopes of answering this question.
« Black women have a shorter life expectancy, higher rates of infection and one of the highest rates of poverty of any racial or ethnic group in the United States, » said Dr. Lauren McCullough, scientific director of the American Cancer Society.
A black woman is more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast, lung, and colon cancers by doctors.
« With few exceptions, black women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancers with aggressive tumor types and have the highest cancer rates among racial and ethnic groups, » McCullough said.
McCullough said she was part of a larger study that followed 100,000 black women. It is called Voices of Black WomenAnd she explained the eligibility criteria.
« Those between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not been diagnosed with a cancer other than basal or squamous cell skin cancer and live in one of the 20 eligible states and DC, » McCullough said.
Pennsylvania is one of those states because of how many black women call the area home.
« The Pittsburgh market launch is planned for mid-June, so it starts June 17, » said Casey Jankoski, associate director of community partnerships at the American Cancer Society Pittsburgh.
« Even though we're not at the Pittsburgh launch, we're excited about all the feedback we're getting right now, » Jankoski added.
Although the Pittsburgh release isn't until next month, Jankoski wants people to know they can sign up now.
« Potential participants should go to our website at VOICES.cancer.org to confirm eligibility, consent to be part of the study and fill out a short enrollment survey that will record basic demo information. Women for 30 years, » McCullough said.
The study follows you and your health with two 30-minute examinations each year.
« After enrollment, a one-hour commitment each year will yield significant advances in understanding the health of Black women, » McCullough said.
