Uterine Cancer Rates Rising, Disparity Widens
Black women face a disproportionate increase in mortality by 2050, study projects.
A concerning trend has emerged in the United States, as new research indicates uterine cancer cases are climbing. Worse, Black women are expected to bear the brunt of this increase in coming decades.
Key Findings on Uterine Cancer Trends
While overall cancer rates are declining, uterine cancer incidence grew by 0.7% each year between 2013 and 2022. Death rates also increased, rising 1.6% annually from 2014 to 2023. These trends highlight a worrying divergence from broader cancer statistics.
Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact on Black women. They are already twice as likely to die from uterine cancer compared to other groups, a disparity experts predict will worsen.
Racial Disparities in Mortality Rates
Researchers project mortality rates for Black women will nearly triple by 2050, climbing from 14.1 to 27.9 per 100,000. White women’s rates are also expected to rise, but less dramatically, from 6.1 to 11.2 per 100,000.
According to a recent report from the CDC, in 2021, uterine cancer was the fourth most common cancer among women in the United States, with approximately 65,950 new cases diagnosed (CDC.gov).
“Overall, uterine cancer is one of the few cancers where both incidence and mortality have been increasing, and prior studies have consistently shown significant racial disparities among Black and white women,”
said lead author Dr. Jason D. Wright of Columbia University.
Factors Contributing to the Disparity
Dr. Wright pointed to several factors driving the disparity. These include higher rates of obesity, lower rates of hysterectomy, diagnoses at later stages, and more aggressive tumor types among Black women.
Potential for Early Detection
The study emphasizes the potential impact of effective screening programs. Researchers suggest that if reliable screening methods were developed, the burden of uterine cancer could be significantly reduced, especially for those at highest risk.
