While cancer affects all segments of the United States population and significant breakthroughs have resulted in improved overall survival and declines in cancer death rates, African Americans and other minorities suffer a disproportionate share of the burden of cancer in this country. For all cancers combined, the overall death rate is approximately 25 percent higher in African Americans than Caucasians.
The NMA is thus devoting a special issue of the Journal of the National Medical Associationto Cancer Health Disparities. Authors are invited to submit original papers detailing clinical research on cancer disparities, including incidence, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Accepted papers will appear in a theme issue of the Journal of the National Medical Association.
