The Deadly Gap: Black Americans Missing From Pancreatic Cancer Research

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers in the United States, with approximately 66,440 new cases and 51,750 fatalities expected in 2024, as reported by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The survival rate for this affliction is dismal, standing at just 12% over five years.Racial disparities significantly affect diagnosis and treatment, as Black Americans face a notably higher incidence rate of 16.2 per 100,000 individuals compared to their white (13.8), Hispanic (12.1), and Asian/Pacific Islander (10.1) counterparts. Alarmingly, only a meager fraction of Black patients—less than 5%—received care or participated in biobanking at Indiana University's health facilities, despite their heightened risks.According to a 2024 study published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, fewer than 18 Black individuals underwent surgery among the 972 patients treated, while only 63 out of 1,514 in early detection were Black. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced health education and outreach within the Black community to improve engagement in clinical trials and early detection initiatives.