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 report oncancer 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. "In general,African Americans have lesslikelihood of surviving five years after diagnosis than whites for all cancersites and all

stages ofdiagnosis,"the report said.

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

differencesassociated with race." The Cancer Society said blacks should be encouragedto get check-ups earlier,when cancer is more treatable,and it said moreresearch was

needed to see ifbiological differences play a role.

"The newstatistics emphasize the continuing importance of eliminating these socialdisparities through public policy and education efforts,"the organizationsaid in a

statement. But italso noted a drop in cancer death rates.

"Cancer deathrates in both sexes for all sites combined have declined substantially amongAfrican Amnericans since 1992,as have incidence rates,"said the report."Increased

efforts to improveeconomic conditions in combination with education about the relationship oflifestyle choices to cancer could further reduce the burden of cancer among

AfricanAmericans."

About 36 millionAmericans describe themselves as black,representing about 12 percent of thepopulation.Which may NOT be a reason for higher cancer death rates among US blacks?

A.Unequal access to medical care.

B.Greater probability of having other diseases.

C.Differences in the biology of the cancer.

D.Early diagnosis.