by Mark Wheeler

The cancer death rate for African-Americans is 33 percent higher than for whites, and several cancers seem to strike black Americans more often than whites. Why?

On Monday, March 20, in a City of Hope sponsored Community Forum, Lovell Jones, Ph.D., will discuss the many factors involved in the higher incidence of cancer in African-Americans, and how to beat the odds. Jones is a professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and is the director of the Center for Research on Minority Health.

He notes that distrust of the system, differences in lifestyle, genetics and a lack of data are all factors. For example, Jones said, many of assumptions about African- American women with breast cancer have been based on data from white women that might not hold true for women of color. Jones will review how these factors are being explored through new research and what the future holds.

The forum will take place at the Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, Calif., and is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the City of Pasadena and The Wellness Community-Foothills.

The forum is free to the public. Those interested in more information or reserving a seat may call 800-535-1390, ext. 65669.