Uterine Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rise, Exposing Deep Racial Disparities in the U.S.
Uterine cancer incidence and mortality are on the rise in the United States, making it the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers, projected to surpass ovarian cancer in 2026. Despite overall declines in cancer mortality due to advances in prevention and treatment, uterine cancer stands as a notable exception. Elizabeth M. Swisher, MD, Chair of the AACR Cancer Prevention Working Group steering committee, highlights significant racial disparities, with Black women more likely to die from uterine cancer despite a lower overall incidence. This increased mortality among Black women is primarily driven by a higher prevalence of aggressive histologic subtypes, such as uterine serous carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, and clear cell carcinoma, which have higher mortality rates than other types. Swisher suggests that a combination of biological, economic, healthcare-related, and environmental factors contribute to these disparities, noting that Caribbean-born Black women have a lower risk of endometrial cancer t...