[HM2Viking]

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - There are disparities in the treatment and outcome between older black and white patients who have renal cell cancer, with blacks having significantly lower survival rates, according to a new study.
However, the lower rates of nephrectomy (surgical removal of the kidney) and the higher rates of comorbid illnesses in black patients largely explain the survival difference, the study found.
In recent years, 5-year survival rates for renal cell cancer have improved among whites, the authors explain in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, but there has been little change in survival rates among blacks.
Dr. Sonja I. Berndt from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and colleagues examined data for 964 black and 10,482 white Medicare beneficiaries with renal cell cancer.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?ali...modsrc=reuters

[jlsRN]

I wonder if this is actually a socio-economic class disparity issue, since Black people are more likely to be lower on the economic ladder, statistically speaking. I think access to healthcare in America is most strongly influenced by having insurance or not, and relationships established with PCPs and clinics, which are lacking in the uninsured segment of our population.

[HM2Viking]

I think that there is a very real linkage.

[Treasure30]

964 black and 10,482 whites. I wonder if there were 10,482 black and only 964 whites in the same study, would the results be different. Hummmmmm.

[HM2Viking]

the study composition roughly equals the proportion of black to white in the us population. The study does suggest a very real health care disparity.

[MBA2BRN]

Originally Posted by HM2Viking

the study composition roughly equals the proportion of black to white in the us population. The study does suggest a very real health care disparity.

Sadly, you had to point this out to people that do not understand statistics. Fortunately some of them (future nurses) will have to take it before graduation. Unfortunately most of those who take the course will still not understand your reasoning.