By Dr. Edward Koza
Special to the AFRO
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African-Americans often have a higher risk for cancer. (Photo / aolcdn.com)
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(April 8, 2009) - Next year, African Americans will comprise 13 percent of the U.S. population. Unfortunately, as the African-American population increases, our communities are experiencing increasing incidences of several forms of cancer.
In fact, African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. for most forms of cancer, especially prostate, breast, lung and colon cancers. For example, statistics show that the average annual rate of prostate cancer among African-American males is well above that for Caucasian males.
While the number of new cases has recently declined, prostate cancer and other forms of the disease that strike African Americans in large or disproportionate numbers are still a cause for concern. One reason is that prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer mortality among African-American men, with 3,690 deaths projected this year.
Among African-American women, breast cancer strikes most often; nearly 20,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed this year. For women under 40, the incidence of breast cancer is higher among African Americans than Caucasian women.
Also alarming are lung/bronchial cancer and colorectal cancer, with more than 20,000 and 16,000 new cases expected to develop among African Americans, respectively. For nearly three decades, African Americans have suffered higher mortality rates for colorectal cancer than Caucasian Americans.
According to the American Cancer Society, factors that contribute to high cancer incidence and mortality include lower rates of early screenings, socioeconomic factors (which often derail prevention and palliative care), obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.
Everyone should know the commonly accepted cancer warning signs: a sore that doesn’t heal; a lump or thickening in the breast or elsewhere; an unusual bleeding or discharge; a change in normal bowel habits; a growing mole or wart; persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing; and constant hoarseness or coughing.
To help prevent cancer or identify the disease early, experts offer several recommendations, including: good nutrition and exercise; eliminating risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol; initiating regular self-examinations; and scheduling regular medical checkups and health screenings.
To screen for prostate cancer, men over 50 are urged to undergo periodic prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal examinations. Also, women over 40 should get an annual mammography to check for breast cancer. And men age 50 and over should be screened for colorectal cancer.
Just as important, be aware of cancers that may run in your family, as some cancers have a genetic component. If you have a family history of a certain form of cancer, your physician may recommend that you get screened at an earlier age in order to be more proactive about your health.
The American Cancer Society offers support programs and services, literature and healthy-living resources, and is working to create, change and influence public policies to help reduce cancer disparities. The organization also is striving to protect funding for cancer programs within the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, including education and screening.
National Minority Health Awareness Month offers a yearly reminder to talk about cancer, but it is just that: a month. Let’s take this opportunity to make cancer, and other diseases that disproportionately affect African Americans, an everyday conversation and a reminder that we must be vigilant – to remain healthy and live longer, be aware, be smart and visit your doctor regularly. In the long run you’ll be glad you did.
Dr. Edward Koza is the medical director of UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic.