American Cancer Society Launches Largest U.S. Population Study of Black Women for a Deeper Understanding of Cancer Disparities

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

. http://yourhealthmagazine.net

More Cancer Awareness Articles

American Cancer Society Launches Largest U.S. Population Study of Black Women for a Deeper Understanding of Cancer Disparities

Goal is to enroll over 100,000 Black women in the groundbreaking VOICES of Black Women® study to improve health outcomes for the next generation

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has launched the VOICES of Black Women® study, the largest behavioral and environmental focused population study of cancer risk and outcomes in Black women in the United States to improve the health of future generations.  

Designed to better understand the multi-level drivers of cancer incidence, mortality and resilience within this demographic, the long-term study will gather valuable data from Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 from diverse backgrounds and income levels who have not been diagnosed with cancer. ACS has a goal to enroll 100,000 Black women across 20 states and the Greater Washington, D.C. area, where, according to the US Census, more than 90 percent of Black women in the US reside.

The study is looking for enrollees. To learn more and to enroll, go to https://voices.cancer.org. Eligible participants must identify as Black, be assigned female at birth, or self-identify as women, not have a history of cancer, except basal or squamous skin cancer. Enrolled participants will provide informed consent and, over the span of 30 years, answer behavioral, environmental, and lived experience questions through periodic short surveys delivered via a secure online portal. No medication, clinical testing, treatment, or lifestyle changes are part of the study.

Despite significant strides in cancer research, Black women continue to have the highest death rate and the shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. Led by American Cancer Society researchers, Dr. Alpa Patel and Dr. Lauren McCullough, the VOICES of Black Women® study will partner with communities of Black women and cross-disciplinary experts in Black women’s health.  

“VOICES of Black Women® represents a crucial step toward achieving health equity in a population that is long overdue,” said Patel, co-principal investigator of the study and senior vice president of population science at the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. The VOICES of Black Women® study represents a significant stride towards achieving this goal and underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to health equity and social justice.

For more information about the VOICES of Black Women® study and how to participate, please visit https://voices.cancer.org.