African-Americans and Colorectal Cancer
African-Americans appear to suffer more from the disease than other populations. It is especially important for African-American men and women to understand colorectal cancer prevention and talk with their health care professionals about colorectal screening tests. Routine screening tests can help prevent colorectal cancer and can detect the disease in its early stages when it is more easily treated.
Here are some important facts to remember:
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The rate of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer is higher among African-Americans than among any other population group in the United States.
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Death rates from colorectal cancer are higher among African-Americans than any other population group in the United States.
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Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among African-Americans.
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There is evidence that African-Americans are less likely to undergo screening tests for colorectal cancer.
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African-Americans are less likely than Caucasians to have colorectal polyps detected when they can easily be removed. Polyps are grape-like growths on the lining of the color or rectum that may become cancer, but can be removed to prevent the disease from ever occurring.
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African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in advanced stages when there are fewer treatment options available, and they are less likely to live five or more years after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer than other populations.
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Diet, tobacco use and a lack of access to equal medical treatment options may increase African Americans risk of developing colon cancer.
- There may also be genetic factors that contribute to the higher incidence of colorectal cancer among some African-Americans.
Download a copy of What African Americans Need to Know About Colorectal Cancer.
Hispanics and Colorectal Cancer
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Although the National Institutes of Health reports that Hispanics have lower rates of colorectal cancer diagnoses and deaths than both Caucasians and African-Americans, they are also less likely to follow screening recommendations for the disease.
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Among Hispanics aged 50 and over surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 12 percent reported having a fecal occult blood test in the preceding year. Only 25 percent of those surveyed underwent a sigmoidoscopy or proctoscopy in the last five years.
Dr. Elmer Huerta, Director of Cancer Prevention at the Washington, D.C.-based Washington Hospital Center, and a Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation board member, questions the accuracy of colorectal cancer data, suggesting that the current figures may not reflect incidence of the disease in Hispanic communities.
Even if colorectal incidence rates are lower for Hispanics, they should follow recommended colorectal screening practices so that they can to detect polyps in their earliest, most treatable stages.
