Better Screening Key to Closing U.S. Race Gap in Colon Cancer Deaths [Video]

Key Takeaways

Black Americans are still more likely to develop and die from colon cancer than whitesOffering Black patients better quality cancer screening and follow-up could narrow those disparities, new research showsBetter screening is only part of the solution, however

WEDNESDAY, July 24, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Black Americans are almost a third more likely to die from colon cancer than their white peers, and one key to closing that divide could be better cancer screening, a new report finds.

That means getting Black Americans quality colonoscopies and other forms of screening, but also making sure they’re followed up after their test results come in.

“Our study shows that it’s not enough to just get everyone screened; the quality of care during screening and follow-up must also be similar for Black and white adults,” explained study lead author Oguzhan Alagoz. He’s a professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The findings …