The American Cancer Society announced that it is conducting its largest study of Black women in the United States.
The study is called VOICES of Black Women.
Co-principal investigator Dr. Lauren McCullough shared what it is about.
"VOICES of Black women is a new study by the American Cancer Society, which launched in May of this year, to better understand why Black women both get and die from breast cancer and die from other cancers disproportionately," McCullough said.
Data from the society reports that Black women are 8% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer than white women but 12% more likely to die if diagnosed.
This information is why Dr. McCullough said they want at least 100,000 Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 who have never had cancer to enroll in their study.
They're looking for candidates who live in 20 states including New York and Washington, D.C. to get involved.
Participants are asked to complete an online health and life history survey during enrollment and update information twice a year for 30 years.
Dr. McCullough shared what the society plans to do with the data.
"My dream is that this data will really change the landscape of how we look at Black women's health. [I hope] that Black women's experiences will be valued by our clinical and medical systems and that we come up with more tailored messaging that really is culturally relevant to this demographic," McCullough said.
Breast cancer advocate and Mount Vernon homeowner Monica Milligan said she is participating in the study.
She said she signed up because her family has been affected by cancer.
She shared why she's now trying to get others involved in the study, as well.
"What I want to do is just to help generations in the future, so we don't have to go through this, we don't have to lose our loved ones to this hideous disease," Milligan said.
Carol Johnson -Cromer said she is a three-time breast cancer survivor. She told News 12 that she wishes the study was done sooner.
"I wish it was...But the study is now. I'm thankful that it is now. It has arrived at [this] time and attention is being given to this and looking to really make and bring about eliminating this," Johnson-Cromer said.