Black Americans have the highest cancer mortality rates in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health. This disparity contributes to lower life expectancy for both Black men and women compared to non-Hispanic whites.
The statistics are stark across multiple types of cancer. Black men are 1.2 times more likely to develop colon cancer and 1.7 times more likely to get prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white men. They are also twice as likely to die from prostate cancer. Black women face a 40% higher mortality rate from breast cancer despite similar diagnosis rates.
Dr. Tesia McKenzie, a breast surgical oncologist at Hackensack Meridian Health, notes that Black women are often diagnosed later and face more aggressive forms of breast cancer. She emphasizes the need for more personalized screening approaches and increased participation of women of color in clinical trials.
Lung cancer screening rates are particularly low among African Americans, with only 1.7% of eligible individuals getting screened. Dr. Lisa Carter-Bawa, a researcher at Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation, highlights the importance of destigmatizing lung cancer screening and addressing the multifaceted reasons behind low screening rates.
Experts stress the urgent need to address these racial disparities in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. They call for increased awareness, better screening practices, and more research to understand and combat the factors contributing to higher cancer mortality rates among Black Americans.
See “Black Americans Have Highest Cancer Mortality Rates In The United States” (January 31, 2024)
