US Blacks Hard-hitby Cancer

Death rates forcancer are falling for all Americans,but black Americans are still more likelyto die of cancer than whites,the American Cancer Society said Monday.

In a special reporton cancer and blacks,the organization said blacks are usually diagnosed withcancer later than whites,and they are more likely to die of the disease.

This could bebecause of unequal access to medical care,because blacks are more likely tohave other diseases like diabetes as well,and perhaps because of differences inthe

biology of thecancer itself,the report added.

“Ingeneral,African Americans have less likelihood of surviving five years afterdiagnosis than whites for all cancer sites and all stages of diagnosis,”thereport said.

“In describingcancer statistics for African Americans,this report recognizes thatsocioeconomic disparities and unequal access to medical care may underlie manyof the

differencesassociated with race.”

The Cancer Societysaid blacks should be encouraged to get check-ups earlier,when cancer was moretreatable,and it said more research is needed to see if biological

differences play arole.

“The newstatistics emphasize the continuing importance of eliminating these socialdisparities through public policy and education efforts,”the organization saidin a

statement.

But it also noted adrop in cancer death rates.

“Cancer deathrates in both sexes for all sites combined have declined substantially amongblack Americans since 1992,as have incidence rates,”said the report.

“Increasedefforts to improve economic conditions in combination with education about therelationship of lifestyle choices to cancer could further reduce the burden of

cancer among AfricanAmericans.” About 36 million Americans describe themselves as black,representingabout 12 percent of the population.Which may NOT be areason for higher cancer death rates among US blacks?

A.Unequal access tomedical care.

B.Greaterprobability of having other diseases.

C.Differences in thebiology of the cancer.

D..Early diagnosis.