Recent data from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals a significant drop in cancer death rates among Black men, marking a positive shift in the landscape of health disparities. The latest Cancer Statistics 2025 report shows that the cancer mortality gap between Black and White men has narrowed from 47% in 1990 to 15% in 2021.
This encouraging trend is attributed to substantial declines in lung cancer deaths, a result of reduced smoking rates and improved early detection and treatment methods. Prostate cancer mortality has also seen a notable decrease, with death rates falling by 5% annually from 2015 to 2021 among Black men.
Despite these improvements, Black men continue to face higher overall cancer mortality rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups. The persistence of this disparity underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving health equity across all communities.
The report highlights areas where disparities remain stark. Black women, for instance, still experience a 12% higher cancer mortality rate than White women. Particularly concerning is the widening gap in uterine corpus cancer death rates, which increased by 2.7% annually for Black women compared to 1.6% for White women between 2012 and 2021.
Colorectal cancer emerges as another area of concern, with death rates rising by 2.3% annually in individuals under 55, affecting Black populations disproportionately. This trend emphasizes the need for targeted screening and prevention efforts in younger age groups and minority communities.
While the overall picture shows progress, the ACS data underscores the importance of continued efforts to address racial disparities in cancer outcomes. Enhancing access to quality healthcare, promoting early detection, and implementing tailored interventions for minority populations remain crucial in the ongoing fight against cancer disparities.
See: “ACS: Fewer Black men are dying from cancer” (February 20, 2025)
