Recent data from the American Cancer Society reveals encouraging trends in cancer survival rates among Black Americans. The report highlights a significant decline in cancer mortality, particularly among Black men, who have seen a 49% drop since 1991. This progress is attributed to reductions in smoking initiation among Black teens, advances in treatment, and earlier detections for certain cancers.
Despite these improvements, disparities persist. Black men still face a 16% higher mortality rate than White men, and Black women have a 10% higher mortality rate than White women. These differences are not due to higher incidence rates but rather reflect inequalities in access to care and treatment. For example, Black individuals have two-fold higher death rates for prostate, uterine corpus, and stomach cancers, and significantly higher rates for colorectal, breast, cervical, and liver cancers.
The report underscores the multifactorial causes of these disparities, pointing to structural racism and inequalities in the social determinants of health. It calls for increased diversity in clinical trials, enhanced provider education, and financial incentives to ensure equitable care across the cancer care continuum. Addressing these issues is crucial for closing the gap in cancer outcomes and ensuring better health for all.
See: “Why More Black Folks Are Surviving Cancer Than Ever Before” (May 6, 2025)