On Wednesday, the National Institutes of Health announced the launch of the largest study ever conducted to investigate the genetic and biological factors that contribute to breast cancer in black women to identify factors that may contribute to breast cancer disparities.
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, and they are subsequently more likely to die from the disease. While the exact reasons behind these disparities are not clear, previous research suggests it is likely a complex combination of environmental, societal and genetic factors.
For the new analysis, researchers will examine genomic data from previous studies on 20,000 black women with breast cancer and 20,000 women not afflicted by the disease. The data will also be compared with genomic data from white women with breast cancer.
"This effort is about making sure that all Americans — no matter their background — reap the same benefits from the promising advances of precision medicine," said Douglas R. Lowy, MD, acting director of the National Cancer Institute. "The exciting new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment ring hollow unless we can effectively narrow the gap of cancer disparities, and this new research initiative will help us do that. I'm hopeful about where this new research can take us, not only in addressing the unique breast cancer profiles of African-American women, but also in learning more about the origin of cancer disparities."
More articles on quality:
HHS improves access to opioid addiction treatment with new actions to fight opioid abuse
CMS overall star ratings have 'several shortcomings,' analysis finds
Top 55 hospitals patients would definitely recommend