National Minority Cancer Awareness Week April 13-19, 2015

This week we are celebrating National Minority Cancer Awareness Week. With cancer being one of the leading causes of deaths, it is common for certain groups to find it harder to fight and survive cancer. Many groups with this disadvantage include Asian Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics. This disparity is due to numerous reasons such as access to health care, socioeconomic factors, or even poverty.

It is the goal of National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 13-19, to increase awareness of the issues these groups face.

Both the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and the American Cancer Society research and analyze certain statistics that pertain to these minority groups. Some of the statistics are surprising.

The cancer death rate among African American men is 27% higher compared to non-Hispanic white men.The death rate for African American women is 11% higher compared to non-Hispanic white women.African Americans have the highest incidence rates of colorectal cancer of any racial or ethnic group.Hispanics have higher rates of cervical, liver, and stomach cancers than non-Hispanic whites.Liver cancer incidence and death rates among Asian/Pacific Islanders are double those among non-Hispanic whites.

There have been significant changes over the years that have helped balance some these numbers. Anti-tobacco campaigns have been a major influence on the African American community and decrease lung cancer possibilities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the overall lowest chance for cancer incidence or death due to cancer.

 For more information on cancer concerns or patient information, please visit www.cancer.org or visit our website atwww.uab.edu/cancer.