WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD April 28, 2011 -- Cancer
incidence among minority populations is expected to double in
the next 20 years, while only increasing about 31% among whites,
according to a new report from government advisors. The report,
from the President’s Cancer Panel, says there are still striking
inequities between racial groups in this country when it comes
to cancer risk, incidence, treatment, and survival. In order to
address those problems, the panel urges better data collection,
more research, specialized training for doctors, and more help
for patients who can’t speak English as they try to navigate an
increasingly complex health care system. “I think everybody is
well aware of the changing demographics in America, as far as
the aging of the population, which will increase the prevalence
of cancer, and also what’s happening in terms of the ethnic
shift in the populations in the United States,” says Margaret L.
Kripke, PhD, a member of the President’s Cancer Panel. “What we
thought