COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While some cancer deaths in the United States are decreasing due to advancements in technology and medical advances, there’s a portion of the population still being diagnosed and dying from cancer at a disproportionate rate. 

The question now – why and what can be done to address it. A massive research study is looking to answer those questions. Starting this month, the American Cancer Society is starting a 30-year endeavor called “Voices of Black Women” that works to better understand how medical histories, lifestyle factors and experiences of racism affect their risk of developing cancer or being unable to beat it. 

Representatives with the American Cancer Society say Ohio is one of 20 states where black women ages 25-55 are eligible to participate. The goal is enrolling 100,000 black women to participate in an annual online questionnaire about their health, stress, diet, and experience around racism and discrimination. Information researchers can then use to help close the disparity gap.  

“This research study is amazing,” breast cancer survivor Shanise Pearce tells NBC4. 

Pearce said she was 44 years old when she got the news that would forever change her life. After already learning that she was a carrier of the BRCA gene, Pearce was proactive. She said she got the recommended mammograms and MRIs and it was an MRI that found cancer cells. 

“I had to do 12 rounds which was 4 months. I had to go every week to the Stephanie Spielman Center and that started my journey for trying to cure the triple negative breast cancer,” Pearce said. 

The mother, wife and business professional said while she is in remission she is still battling the after effects of life with cancer which is why she is so supportive about researchers learning ways of reducing the chances of this from happening to other black women.  

“It’s titled ‘Perfect Voices’ so people of color can speak up and be involved and you can understand what is going on with this disease and other types of cancer and how it impacts our community,” Pearce said. 

Spreading the word about the program will be crucial in its success so the American Cancer Society has created the ambassador program.  It’s a group of women – who qualify for the study and are tasked with spreading the word. NBC4s Cierra Johnson, Jennifer Bullock and lifestyle reporter Gabrielle Pfifer with daytime Columbus were asked to serve as ambassadors. For more information you can visit the American Cancer Society website here.