A gene mutation may lead to more severe colorectal cancer in black patients, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The study was conducted by the Cleveland-based Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Its findings build on previous research by the center, which identified a gene mutation unique to colon cancers in black patients.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Black patients have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of any demographic; however, scientists are unsure why.
2. The researchers used DNA sequencing to compare colorectal cancer samples from black patients with samples from white patients.
3. The researchers found that tumors with the gene mutation unique to black patients were more likely to recur and to spread to other parts of the body.
4. Thus, this gene mutation may explain why colorectal cancer is so fatal for black patients.