October 28, 2009
New research shows a big racial disparity in colon and rectal cancer rates.
A new California Pacific Medical Center study shows blacks are at a much higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than other groups and also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage.
Researchers looked at the medical records of more than half a million colorectal patients.
The numbers show African American men are more than twice as likely than Asian American men to get a colorectal cancer diagnosis.
There was also a similar disparity between African American and Asian American women.
Researchers also found male and female blacks appear to have a much higher rate than whites and Hispanics.
In fact, blacks also have more severe cases of the disease, with rates of advanced cancer more than double that of Hispanics.
Researchers presented the study at the American College Of Gastroenterology's annual meeting.