Neighborhood shows cancer survival rate

While race and genetics can influence an individual's cancer survival rate, a new study reports one's neighborhood is more important. According to the study published in Cancer, other than genetics, modifiable factors such as neighborhoods determine the survival rate in breast and prostate cancer sufferers. Whites affected with prostate and breast cancers were not reported to live longer than their black counterparts when focusing on smaller populations, indicating that racial disparities lose their effect on cancer survival rate in small populations or geographical areas. Scientists concluded that factors such as socioeconomic situations, cancer, treatment and the patient's health condition are more important than biology in determining the survival rate from a tumor.