What are the potential reasons that lung cancer affects african-american males at a higher rate than the rest of the population?

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AnnSchwartzPhD (Researcher (Verified) ) - 08 / 08 / 2012

Incidence rates of lung cancer in different populations reflect variation in the proportion of smokers, dose and duration of smoking, family history, history of COPD, and history of exposures associated with increased lung cancer risk, such as asbestos exposure, and exposures potentially associated with reduced risk, such as NSAIDs or diet. Smoking patterns 30-40 years ago are most relevant to lung cancer rates today given the long latency period from first exposure to diagnosis. African Americans tend to smoke fewer cigarettes per day and start smoking at an older age than whites, but the proportion of African American men who smoke has been higher in the past than the proportion of white men who smoke contributing to higher lung cancer rates today in African American men. There are also reports that demonstrate increased susceptibility in African Americans given a family history of cancer. Additional research is needed to better identify what other environmental exposures and genetic variation contribute to racial disparities in lung cancer incidence. Research is now underway to identify genetic changes associated with risk specifically in African Americans, comparable to work that has already been conducted in white populations.
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