Cancer deaths among African-Americans have been steadily declining in recent years, but are still much higher than they should be.
For most types of cancer, blacks continue to have the highest death rate – and shortest survival – of any racial or ethnic group in the United States, the American Cancer Society reported recently in a sweeping review of African-Americans and cancer.
All too often, when cancer is diagnosed in an African-American patient, the disease is more advanced and harder to beat, the scientists found.
The issue has more to do with social and economic disparities – and a lack of early screening – than any biological differences associated with race, the scientists concluded. Inequalities in wealth, education and health insurance are partly to blame.
But cancer also is not being detected early enough.
As a result, more than 63,000 African-Americans will die from cancer this year.
Although researchers are still short of finding the elusive cancer cure, the truth is that many people diagnosed with the disease are able to go on living healthy, long and productive lives, especially if their disease is caught early.
The American Cancer Society points out in its new report that screening tests can detect some cancers at stages when they are still highly treatable. In the case of cervical and colon cancers, screenings can actually prevent cancer by identifying precancerous lesions that need to be removed. “Screening can also detect cancer at an earlier stage, improve the chances of cure, extend life, and reduce the extent of treatment needed, thereby improving the quality of life for cancer survivors,” the report’s authors conclude.
This speaks to the need for regular cancer screening, when warranted – no matter what your racial or ethnic background may be.
At Navigenics, we help people determine their genetic risk for several types of cancer, including cancers of the breast, colon, lungs and prostate. Once you know your cancer risk, you and your doctor can take steps to reduce it – or catch it early – through a more personalized approach to diet, exercise and regular cancer screening.
Genetic testing and the information it provides about your DNA puts you in control.
How else should society work on improving the death rate statistics? Let us know what you think.
hereditary breat cancer Jun 22, 2009
Screening for breast cancer before there are symptoms can be important. Screening can help doctors find and treat cancer early. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early.