Monday, May 20 2024 | Updated at 05:52 PM EDT

Stay Connected With Us F T R

Nov 03, 2015 01:01 AM EST

Breast cancer rates among African American women are continuing to increase, converging with rates among white women and closing a gap that had existed for decades, according to a recent study. 

Although black women in the United States were more likely to die from breast cancer, for decades, they have been less likely to get the disease than white women.  However, according to a new report, they don't seem to have that health advantage anymore, CBS News reported.

From 2008 to 2012, breast cancer incidence rates increased in African American women (0.4% per year), and among Asian/Pacific Islanders (1.5% per year), while they remained stable among whites, Latinos and American Indian/Alaska Natives. In 2012, overall breast cancer incidence rates converged between blacks and whites as a result of increasing incidence rates in black women and stable rates in white women.

"For a while we've seen the increase in black women and stable rates in white women," Carol DeSantis, an epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society who led the study, told NPR. "Even though we'd seen the trend, it's sort of shocking."

Notably, rates were higher in blacks than whites in seven states: Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Mortality rates continued to be higher in black women than in white women, despite historically lower incidence rates among black women. The black-white disparity in breast cancer death rates has increased over time; by 2012, death rates were 42 percent higher in black women than white women. Researchers surmise that this trend is likely to continue -- at least in the near future -I n view of the increasing trends in breast cancer incidence rates in black women.

Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among U.S. women, accounting for nearly one in three cancers. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. Approximately 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,290 deaths are expected among women in the United States this year.

The findings are detailed in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit

© 2024 University Herald, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Must Read

Common Challenges for College Students: How to Overcome Them

Oct 17, 2022 PM EDTFor most people, college is a phenomenal experience. However, while higher education offers benefits, it can also come with a number of challenges to ...

Top 5 Best Resources for Math Students

Oct 17, 2022 AM EDTMath is a subject that needs to be tackled differently than any other class, so you'll need the right tools and resources to master it. So here are 5 ...

Why Taking a DNA Test is Vital Before Starting a Family

Oct 12, 2022 PM EDTIf you're considering starting a family, this is an exciting time! There are no doubt a million things running through your head right now, from ...

By Enabling The Use Of Second-Hand Technology, Alloallo Scutter It's Growth While Being Economically And Environmentally Friendly.

Oct 11, 2022 PM EDTBrands are being forced to prioritise customer lifetime value and foster brand loyalty as return on advertising investment plummets. Several brands, ...