Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in AFrican Americans

Cancer Incidence and Mortality of African Americans in Texas

Cancer is a large classification of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Undetected and uncontrolled, it can ultimately result in death. Causes of cancer can be categorized into three factors: external (chemicals, tobacco smoke, radiation, viruses), internal (hormones, immune conditions, genetics) and lifestyle (tobacco and alcohol use, unprotected sun exposure, poor nutrition, physical inactivity). Many cancers can be cured if detected and treated promptly, and many others prevented by lifestyle changes.

In 2004, it was estimated that more than 1.3 million people in the United States would be diagnosed with cancer. In Texas alone, it was estimated that approximately 85,000 individuals will be diagnosed with cancer in 2004, and another 37,000 will die from the disease (Table 1). Four cancer sites account for more than half of the cancer that affect Texans, lining up with the national incidences and mortality sites. These include lung and bronchus, colorectal, breast (female), and prostate cancer. Together these four sites account for approximately 41,900 new cases of cancer diagnosed and 16,900 cancer deaths in Texans. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and is expected to become the leading cause of death within the next decade. Cancer also is the second leading cause of death in Texas.

While cancer affects all people, studies have shown that this disease does not subscribe to “equal opportunity” mandates; varied distributions appear when cases are tallied by gender, age, race and economic groups, usually to the disadvantage of the minority in each instance. In Texas, African American men are diagnosed with cancer in higher numbers in comparison to their Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic counterparts. The mortality rates are 1.5 times greater than Non-Hispanic Whites and 2.0 times more than Hispanic males in Texas for the top five sites (larynx, prostate, stomach, myeloma and oral cavity.)

There are many factors that contribute to the increased cancer risk that African American men and women sustain. Three to be discussed further will be economic, social, and cultural. All three on their own are significant enough to separate the African American population by percenta...

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...Pla has treated individuals for eating disorders and has noted that her white patients were more concerned with thinness, where her black patients were more eating and binging to feel better.

While health organizations are focusing their campaigns on the convenience and importance of cancer screening procedures, the African American population is still disproportionately suffering from cancer incidence and mortality. Not until early detection is common place will the numbers change, especially with the African American elderly population expected to increase by 160% over the next quarter of a century.

Works Sited

Texas: Cancer Facts & Figures 2004- American Cancer Society, Texas Division, 2004

Texas Department of Health, Cancer Registry Division. Average Annual Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates, Age-Adjusted (2000 U.S. population). 26 March 2005

National Cancer Institute. Cancer Health Disparities: Fact Sheet. April 21, 2002. 21 March 2005. http://www.nci.nih.gov/newscenter/healthdisparities

United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast. Senior Reference Guide:Older African-Americans . 26 March 2005. http://www.unitedwayhouston.org/looking/sr_17b.html