A new study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals significant changes in esophageal cancer mortality rates among Black and white adults in the United States from 1999 to 2020. The research, led by Dr. Chun-Wei Pan from the John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, analyzed data from CDC-WONDER to examine trends in racial disparities.
The study found that while esophageal cancer mortality rates decreased for Black adults, they remained relatively stable for white adults, resulting in a narrowing of the racial mortality gap. Specifically, the age-adjusted mortality rate for Black adults fell from 6.52 to 2.62 per 100,000, while for white adults, it slightly decreased from 4.19 to 3.97 per 100,000.
Interestingly, the trends differed between genders. Black women experienced a decrease in mortality rates from 3.31 to 2.29 per 100,000, whereas white women saw an increase from 1.52 to 1.99 per 100,000. Similarly, young Black men showed a significant decrease in mortality rates from 12.82 to 6.26 per 100,000, while young white men experienced a slight increase from 9.90 to 10.57 per 100,000.
Regional variations were also observed, with the Midwest and South initially showing higher mortality rates for Black adults compared to whites. However, this gap reduced over time, and by 2020, Black men had lower mortality rates across all regions.
To address these disparities, the researchers propose targeted screening programs based on predominant histological subtypes in each racial group, increased access to endoscopic treatment, and investments in research on novel screening tools and public health interventions focusing on risk factors such as obesity.
See “Study examines trends in esophageal cancer disparities over time” (August 1, 2024)
