Role of race in accelerating progression of colorectal cancer

ABSTRACT

African Americans present earlier in age and have higher incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to Whites. Socioeconomic inequality in the US that leads to higher comorbid illness among African Americans is likely a driver. Subsequent biological differences in African Americans include higher risk adenoma precursors that are more often proximally located in the colon, low microstatellite instability prevalence, and deficient immunologic profiles compared to Whites that contribute to cancer progression and outcome. Screening for CRC among African Americans had been recommended by some organizations to commence at age 45 or 40 years due to the observed epidemiology;this was not implemented until the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended CRC screening to commence at age 45 years for all races and ethnicities in 2021.Screening for CRC is one modality of intervention that can eliminate disparities;both colonoscopic and non-invasive screening have been shown to eliminate incidence and mortality differences between African Americans and Whites when using navigation. Recent gains in screening utilization among African Americans compared to Whites might be erased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigated non-invasive CRC screening might help the unevenness of preventive services recovery from the pandemic if it can be fully implemented.