WEDNESDAY, Jan 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) – New research shows why black Americans are more prone to colon cancer than whites.
The researchers looked at age-related “epigenetic” changes in colon tissue. These changes affect the way genes work.
The researchers found that in both blacks and whites, one side of the colon biologically ages faster than the other. But the side that ages faster is different depending on the breed.
In black Americans, the right side of the colon ages much faster than the left side, which could add to their increased risk of colon cancer, increase the likelihood that they will develop cancer of the right side of the colon, and develop cancer at a younger age, according to the authors of the recent Study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
In whites, the left side of the colon ages faster and they are more likely to develop cancer on that side.
The study is the first to find that the two sides of the colon age differently.
“These results underscore the importance of colon laterality in colorectal cancer biology,” said Graham Casey, study co-lead with the University of Virginia Center for Public Health Genomics.
“The fact that colon biology differs between people of African and European descent further underscores the critical importance of more research involving people of African descent,” Casey added in a university press release.
Colorectal cancer affects black Americans disproportionately. According to the American Cancer Society, they are 20% more likely to get colon cancer and 40% more likely to get it.
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer at the age of 43.
Overall, colon cancer rates in the United States have decreased in recent years, but the decrease has not been as great in black Americans as it is in people of European descent. And although the overall rates have decreased, the rate has increased among younger people.
The study could help explain these differences and could help scientists develop better ways to treat and prevent colon cancer, the researchers suggested.
According to Dr. Li Li, study co-lead, director of the Cancer Control and Population Health Program at the University of Virginia Cancer Center, “our discovery is an advance in our efforts to prevent colon cancer and reduce racial differences in this deadly disease.” ”
More information
The US National Cancer Institute is more concerned with colon cancer.
Source: University of Virginia, press release, January 21, 2021
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