Research Highlights

African Americans at greater risk for colon polyps

September 24, 2008

In a study of more than 85,000 patients who had colonoscopies, a team led by David Lieberman, MD, of the Portland VA Medical Center and Oregon Health and Science University found that black patients were at higher risk than white patients for serious colon polyps that could lead to cancer. The prevalence was particularly high among black women, who were 62 percent more likely than white women to have one or more large polyps. In light of the higher prevalence and mortality of colorectal cancer among blacks, some experts have theorized that blacks might be less likely to have early, detectable signs of the disease—such as large polyps—and may therefore not benefit as much as other demographic groups from preventive screening. Lieberman and colleagues said their results suggest otherwise and that the data strongly confirm the value and importance of screening colonoscopies for African Americans. (Journal of the American Medical Association, Sept. 24, 2008)