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What is Cancer?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can take over other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease, but many diseases.
A person can lower their risk of getting many common kinds of cancer by making healthy choices, keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, and protecting their skin. Screening tests can find some cancers early when treatment works best. Vaccines (shots) can help prevent or reduce your cancer risk (example: HPV, hepatitis).
How Does Cancer Affect African American Populations?
Black/African Americans have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group for all cancers combined and for most major cancers. Death rates for all major causes of death are higher for Black/African Americans than for non-Hispanic whites, contributing in part to a lower life expectancy for both Black/African American men and women.
Percentages of cancer among adults aged 18 and over, 2021
Cancer
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black/Non-Hispanic White Ratio
All Sites
5.5
13.0
0.4
Breast (women)
1.4
2.1
0.7
Cervical (women)
0.2
1.3
Prostate (men)
3.0
2.9
1.0
Source: CDC 2022. National Health Interview Survey. Interactive Summary Health Statistics for Adults – 2021. https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NHISDataQueryTool/SHS_adult/index.html [Accessed 11/30/2022]
Cancer Incidence Rates per 100,000 – Men
Non-Hispanic Black Men
Non-Hispanic White Men
535.1
514.8
Colon & Rectum
52.4
43.5
1.2
Esophagus
5.7
8.4
Kidney
25.6
23.0
1.1
Liver & IBD
18.1
11.3
1.6
Lung
71.6
64.0
Myeloma
17.0
8.1
Oral Cavity & Pharynx
13.2
20.3
Pancreas
17.7
15.7
Prostate
183.4
110.0
1.7
Stomach
13.4
7.6
1.8
*IBD = Intrahepatic Bile Duct
Source: NCI 2022. Seer Cancer Statistics Review, 2015-2019. SEER*Explorer https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/ [Accessed 11/30/2022].
Cancer Incidence Rates per 100,000 – Women
Non-Hispanic Black Women
Non-Hispanic White Women
408.7
450.8
0.9
Breast
129.6
137.6
Cervical
9.0
7.1
38.6
33.3
12.9
11.1
4.1
45.6
54.3
0.8
5.0
2.6
14.9
11.7
7.8
3.7
Uterus
29.3
28.0
Percentage of Patients - Men (2012-2018)
Non-Hispanic Black/ Non-Hispanic White Ratio
65.3
67.2
58.3
75.5
77.3
19.8
17.1
19.3
9.9
11.5
96.6
97.1
27.6
29.2
Source: NCI 2022. Seer Cancer Statistics Review, 5-Year Relative Survival Rates, 2012-2018, SEER*Explorer https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/ [Accessed 11/30/2022].
Percentage of Patients – Women (2012-2018)
62.3
70.2
82.6
92.0
55.8
67.3
62.0
65.7
23.5
24.6
26.7
11.6
11.0
41.9
40.9
64.1
84.1
Source: NCI 2022. Seer Cancer Statistics Review, 5-Year Relative Survival Rates, 2012-2018, SEER*Explorer]. https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/ [Accessed 11/30/2022]
Cancer Death Rates per 100,000 – Men (2016-2020)
Black/Non-Hispanic White Ratio
216.0
182.5
22.3
15.5
1.5
51.0
44.7
15.3
13.1
37.5
17.8
7.2
2.5
7.3
2.0
Source: NCI 2022. Seer Cancer Statistics Review, U.S. 5-Year Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates, 2016-2020, SEER*Explorer. https://seer.cancer.gov/explorer/ [Accessed 11/30/2022].
Cancer Death Rates per 100,000 – Women (2016-2020)
149.2
133.0
19.7
3.3
14.3
4.8
3.6
2.2
2.3
12.3
9.6
3.5
9.1
4.6
Percentage of women age 40 and over who had a mammogram within the past 2 years, 2018 (crude)
68.6
68.0
Source: CDC 2022. Health United States, 2019. Table 33.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus19-508.pdf [PDF 3.02MB]
Percentage of women age 18 and over who had a Pap smear within the past 3 years, 2018 (crude)
75.1
63.7
Source: CDC 2022. Health United States, 2019. Table 34.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus19-508.pdf [PDF 3.02MB]
Adults aged 50-75 who had any colorectal test or procedure, 2018
59.2
Source: CDC 2022. Health United States, 2019. Table 35.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus19-508.pdf [PDF 3.02MB]