Newswise — In a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal CANCER by Wiley online, researchers explored the disparities in endometrial cancer diagnoses and tumor characteristics among Black women compared to white women. Specifically, they focused on African descent women residing in Florida and the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. The study examined the incidence rates and trends of endometrial cancer, both overall and by subtype, to gain valuable insights into this pressing issue. The results shed light on the elevated risks faced by Black women in terms of advanced uterine cancer and the development of aggressive tumors.
During their analysis of endometrial cancer cases spanning from 2005 to 2018, Heidy N. Medina, PhD, MPH, and her colleagues from the University of Miami School of Medicine observed distinct classifications of endometrial cancer based on the appearance of tumor cells and genetic alterations. The two primary classifications were endometrioid, which is less aggressive, and non-endometrioid, which represents a more aggressive form. The data encompassed a total of 34,789 cases from both Florida, United States, and the French Caribbean.
1.The study revealed that Caribbean Black women exhibited the lowest rates for both the endometrioid and non-endometrioid subtypes of endometrial cancer.
2.Among the various racial groups studied, US Black women had the highest incidence rate of non-endometrioid types of endometrial cancer, with a rate of 9.2 per 100,000. This rate was 2.6 times higher compared to that of US white women.
3.The study found that the rates of endometrioid cancer exhibited an annual increase of 1.8% among US Black women and 1.2% among US white women from 2005 to 2018. However, there was no observable change in the rates for Caribbean Black women during the same period.
4.Across all groups of women, the study found that the rates of the more aggressive non-endometrioid cancers showed an increase. Specifically, US Black women experienced an annual increase of 5.6%, Caribbean Black women had a 4.4% increase, and US white women had a 3.9% increase in these types of cancers.
Dr. Medina emphasized the significance of this study in providing valuable scientific evidence regarding the risk of endometrial cancer among a diverse group of African descent women. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and considering the variations within the Black women population. Dr. Medina further highlighted that the differences observed among Black women in different regions of the world are influenced by social factors associated with assigned race rather than solely being attributed to genetic factors related to African ancestry. This insight sheds light on the complex interplay of various factors contributing to endometrial cancer risk among Black women.
Dr. Medina further emphasized that the study's findings highlight the importance of avoiding generalizations by extrapolating results from Black women in the US to other African descent populations worldwide, especially where limited data is available. This underscores the need for collaborative efforts on a global scale to identify and address disparities in endometrial cancer. Dr. Medina emphasized the significance of robust cancer surveillance systems and registries in different regions, emphasizing the urgent need for increased prioritization and resource allocation from the global health community to improve data collection for cancer registries worldwide. Such initiatives are crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of endometrial cancer and implementing effective strategies for prevention and treatment.
Additionally, Dr. Medina underscored the significance of monitoring the rising rates of the more aggressive non-endometrioid types of endometrial cancer. It is crucial to identify the specific risk factors associated with these malignancies. By understanding these factors, researchers and healthcare professionals can develop targeted interventions and strategies to prevent and effectively manage these deadlier forms of endometrial cancer.
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