Source: www.greenvilleonline.com
Author: editorial

A recent report identified alarming disparities in cancer rates in black and white South Carolinians. By helping to diagnose the scope of the problem, the study eventually may lead to better cancer prevention.

Black South Carolinians get cancer more often than white South Carolinians, researchers at the University of South Carolina found. In addition, blacks who get cancer are more likely to die — even from cancers they get less often than whites.

“This study is alarming,” said Dr. James Hebert, lead author and professor at USC’s School of Public Health. “It shows health disparities in a visual, graphic way.”

The study is one of the nation’s first to track the ratio of deaths based on the incidence of specific cancers. For instance, the mortality rate for blacks in South Carolina with prostate, oral and breast cancers is almost double the rate for whites.

Even though blacks smoke less than whites, statistics on oral cancer show that African Americans have a higher mortality rate throughout most of the state.

The research was deemed significant enough to appear in the June issue of the peer-reviewed journal Cancer. Although the study was conducted in South Carolina, it can be replicated in other states and regions, helping public health officials better understand the extent of the problem and aiding in targeting resources.

Though the study has national ramifications, it’s particularly important in identifying problems here in South Carolina. The cancer disparities between blacks and whites is greater in the Southeast than the rest of the nation, and greater in South Carolina than the rest of the Southeast.

The research provided some troubling data on Greenville County. The mortality rate for blacks with prostate cancer in Greenville County is more than 20 percent higher than the national average. And the mortality rate for blacks with breast cancer in Greenville County is more than 20 percent higher than the national average.

The study doesn’t discuss reasons for the disparities, although researchers suggested that blacks may be getting inadequate preventive or follow-up care. Lack of insurance also may play a role.

Future research by the USC researchers will look at causes of disparities. Such research will build on the troubling but vital data gained by this most recent study.