African-American women unaware of colorectal cancer risk

African-American women unaware of colorectal cancer risk

 

Roche is sponsoring a new program, Dare to Be Aware, to address the huge gap in African-American women's risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer and their perception of that risk. Although African-American women have the highest risk of any gender, race, or ethnicity of developing the disease, 96% don't consider themselves at risk, according to a national survey. Because of this misconception, the Black Women's Health Imperative and the National Women's Health Resource Center have teamed up for Dare to Be Aware, which aims to help these women recognize their risk and get screened. According to the survey, 70% of African-American women over age 45 are not getting screened, despite newly updated guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology that recommend beginning screening at age 45. Roche makes the colorectal cancer treatment Xeloda.