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A new study by Ahmedin Jemal finds that blacks in the U.S. are more likely than any other group to have cancer and die from it. And when they develop cancer, they die sooner. (Death rates for cancer patients have fallen across the board, but the gap between groups is still the same).
Since there is no genetic reason for this, it’s hard not to see it as yet another symptom of anti-black racism (together with higher poverty, higher incarceration rates, etc.). The study shows that whites are diagnosed earlier and hence are more likely to get better, indicating that they receive better healthcare (and this is linked to different poverty rates).
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No genetic reason? None at all? The study you mentioned does not say so: “The causes of these inequalities are complex and are thought to reflect social and economic disparities more than biologic differences associated with race.”
But it does say that genetic reasons are less likely to have caused the race gap than do socio-economic ones. And that is not the same as racism.
It’s OK to have an opinion, but be careful when citing scientific papers – scientist tend to be very careful with their wording.
How is it not an indication of racism when “genetic reasons are less likely to have caused the race gap than do socio-economic ones”? It seems to me you refute yourself.
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It would be interesting to examine the occurrence of what *types* of cancer are appearing in Black patients vs White patients.
Different cancers have different rates of survival. Some cancers are easier to treat than others.
Different cancers can occur more readily due to environmental factors. Eg, people working with certain chemicals, such as paints, may be more susceptible to certain cancers.
Socio-economics and what sort of job people work in would have a large impact here. Also, people’s daily diets would play a role.