A large study providing significant evidence towards the fact that blacks are more likely to get lung cancer from cigarettes has been brought to my attention. It is apparent after an eight year study that race does play a role in different health risks, and these differences must be addressed.

183,000 people were researched and the results are in, with findings that Hawaiians and blacks are 55% percent more likely to develop lung cancer than whites. Japanese Americans and Latinos are 50% less likely of developing skin cancer than whites. The study being published today in the New England Journal of Medicine is large and convincing. It is the best reference to date, that states a varying difference of risk of  people from different ethnic and racial make-up, who smoke cigarettes regularly.

The study brings up certain emotional debates about race. How important it is to tailor treatments, screening, and prevention for the individual races of the world. Genetic variations are an element to risk factors and percentages. It highlights questions about other drugs, and how they are metabolized. Is this going to spur yet another racial debate?