Cancer: African American Death Rates Rise
by Donna P. Mitchell
Death rates due to cancer are rising among African Americans. Lack of screening,
early detection and higher incidences of obesity and smoking may be some of the
reasons. The racial disparity gap in health care is a multifaceted problem.
Issues include the types of accessible healthcare, avoidance of healthcare
providers, and complacency. Once we receive healthcare the question of efficacy
of treatment, provider experience, specialty, bias, and our economic factors add
another layer of potential challenges.
From 1997 through 2001, the average annual death
rate per 100,000 people for all cancers combined was 252 for African Americans,
200 for white Americans, 136 for Hispanics, 135 for American Indians/Alaska
Natives, and 122 for Asians/Pacific Islanders. Overall, African Americans are
more likely to develop cancer than persons of any other racial or ethnic group.
| Black Men |
Black Women |
Leading Cancers
Prostate
Lung
Colorectal
Kidney and Renal Pelvis |
Leading Cancers
Breast
Colorectal
Lung
Uterus (not including cervix) |
Leading Cause of Cancer Death
Lung
Prostate
Colorectal
Pancreas |
Leading Cause of Cancer Death
Lung
Breast
Colorectal |
|
Cancer incidence and death rates for men are highest
among blacks, followed by whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific
Islanders. |
Cancer death rates for women are highest among
blacks, followed by whites, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders. |
|
Prostate cancer incidence rates are about 3.5 times
higher among black men than among Asian/Pacific Islander men, and
prostate cancer death rates are almost 6 times higher among black
men than among Asian/Pacific Islander men. |
Breast cancer death rates are about 2.7 times higher
among black women than among Asian/Pacific Islander women. |
|
Among men, lung cancer incidence rates are about 2.8
times higher among blacks than among Asian/Pacific Islanders. Lung
cancer death rates are about 2.7 times higher among black men than
among Hispanic men. |
|
|
Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics
Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2001 Incidence and Mortality.
Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute; 2004 |
It is important that we take responsibility for our
health and have a positive interaction with health care providers by doing
research and asking questions. Taking ownership and increasing patient knowledge
will assist in questioning, increase understanding, and possibly minimize fear
of the unknown.
Here are some patient resource links regarding
cancer:
Cancer risk is very individualized. Our overall
genetic code and risk factors are different than our friends and family.
Remember some risk factors are beyond control (for example, ethnicity, age,
gender, family history). While some risk factors are within our ability to
control (for example eating high fat, high cholesterol, no fruits or vegetables
in your diet, or not exercising, and stress).
Spiritual, mental and physical wellnesses are
necessary as we dance across the stage of life. Loving, honoring, and
understanding your wholeness and all of God's gifts to you, will enable you to
make healthy choices.
Best of Health and Blessings,
Donna
Donna is an inspirational and business development
speaker. Areas include psycho-social issues, sales, marketing and customer
service. She is currently a primary care pharmaceutical sales representative.
Contact Donna at
Donna4RealityChk@aol.com
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