The American Cancer Society has embarked on a groundbreaking study called VOICES of Black Women, with the aim of understanding and addressing the stark disparities in cancer survival rates among Black women in the United States. Despite overall declining cancer death rates, Black women still face some of the lowest survival rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Black women are less likely to be diagnosed with cancer than white women. However, they are more likely to succumb to the disease within five years of diagnosis. The disparity is most pronounced for breast cancer, which claims the lives of Black women at a 40% higher rate than their white counterparts, despite a 4% lower rate of diagnoses. Black women also face a 60% higher likelihood of dying from cervical cancer and are nearly twice as likely to die from endometrial cancer.

In an effort to uncover the underlying factors contributing to these inequities, the American Cancer Society's VOICES of Black Women study plans to enroll over 100,000 Black women aged 25 to 55, making it the largest study of its kind ever conducted in the country. The study aims to give a voice to an often-underrepresented population in health research and address the ongoing historic mistrust within the Black community.

Dr. Lauren McCullough, the visiting scientific director at the American Cancer Society, emphasized the urgency of the study, stating that Black women are consistently diagnosed with late-stage cancer, aggressive tumor types, and experience higher cancer-specific mortality rates.

Historical medical exploitation of Black patients has perpetuated mistrust and reluctance to participate in research. Examples such as James Marion Sims' experimental surgeries on Black women without anesthesia in the 19th century, the Tuskegee experiment's denial of treatment to Black men with syphilis starting in 1932, and the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks' cancer cells for scientific research in 1951 have contributed to this skepticism.

Dr. Alpa Patel, senior vice president of population science for the American Cancer Society and co-principal investigator of the VOICES study, acknowledged the past mistreatment and emphasized that the study has been designed to involve Black women in a respectful and collaborative manner. Participant confidentiality is prioritized, with the option to opt-out of providing medical records and anonymity in published research. An ethical oversight board will ensure that the study adheres to the highest standards of research ethics.

To be eligible for the study, participants must reside in one of the 20 states or Washington, D.C., that account for over 90% of the U.S. population of Black women aged 25 to 55. Enrollment involves a simple registration process on the study's website, followed by a comprehensive survey covering medical history, lifestyle factors, mental health, experiences of racism and discrimination, and more. Participants will be required to complete two surveys per year. If a participant develops cancer, researchers may request permission to contact her doctor for further information about her diagnosis.

The findings of the VOICES of Black Women study have the potential to be transformative in eliminating barriers to preventing, detecting, and treating cancer among Black women. Dr. Patel expressed her confidence in the study's ability to initiate positive change in addressing the disparities faced by this population.

The American Cancer Society's VOICES of Black Women study stands as a monumental effort to combat the racial inequities in cancer survival rates. By giving voice to the experiences of Black women and addressing historical mistrust, this study offers hope in striving towards a future where all individuals have equal access to healthy outcomes in cancer care.