February 5th 2025.
The NAACP, a prominent civil rights organization, is calling for urgent action in response to troubling research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data shows that Black individuals are disproportionately impacted by cancer, with higher rates of diagnoses and fatalities across various types of the disease. This has led the NAACP to push for the declaration of cancer as a public health crisis within the Black community.
In their call to action, the NAACP is urging local, state, and federal authorities to prioritize the advancement of cancer health equity. They are calling for meaningful strategies to reduce risks and exposures, as well as lower incidence and prevalence rates among Black individuals. This includes stronger efforts to promote health equity, prevent cancer, and encourage early detection and treatment for those most vulnerable to cancer fatalities.
The organization is also advocating for improved supportive care and survivorship programs for those impacted by cancer. Additionally, they are pushing for the elimination of out-of-pocket screening costs, which often serve as barriers to proper treatment for underserved communities.
To achieve their goals, the NAACP encourages the use of their established model, the Accountability for Cancer Through Undoing Racism. This model employs multi-level approaches to address disparities in cancer treatment and outcomes, ensuring that the comprehensive needs of the community are met.
The research from the CDC highlights the alarming reality that Black people have the highest death rate for cancer overall. This is despite being the third largest ethnic/racial group behind white and Hispanic people. Black individuals also have a lower overall 5-year cancer survival rate than white individuals and are more likely to be diagnosed with certain types of cancer at a late stage.
The CDC emphasizes that many cancers can be prevented by following healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight, and receiving the HPV vaccine on schedule. They also stress the importance of regular screening tests, which can either prevent certain cancers or detect them early when treatment is most effective.
However, despite these preventative measures, the numbers still reflect clear disparities impacting the Black community. For example, Black women have a 4% lower incidence of breast cancer compared to white women, but they face a 40% higher mortality rate. They are also more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, a subtype associated with poorer outcomes due to limited treatment options.
Research also shows that Black women are about 30% more likely to die from these tumors than white women, partly due to lower rates of surgery and chemotherapy. Black men also face significant disparities, with a 52% higher incidence rate of breast cancer and a 1 in 6 chance of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime. They are also more likely to be diagnosed and die from these diseases compared to white men.
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Black men and the second-leading cause among Black women, disproportionately impacts the Black community. Black individuals are less likely than their white counterparts to be diagnosed at an early stage, contributing to lower survival rates.
Colorectal cancer is another leading cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths among both men and women in the U.S. However, the Black community faces a disproportionate burden, with higher rates of both diagnosis and mortality compared to other racial or ethnic groups.
In light of these troubling statistics, the NAACP is urging immediate action and advocating for policies, practices, and procedures at all levels to reduce cancer rates and health disparities within the Black community. They are committed to collaborating with health systems and community partners to promote cancer health equity and effectively address these local disparities.
In addition to their efforts to improve access to quality healthcare, the NAACP is also shedding light on the lack of diversity in the medical field. They are supporting initiatives like "Coils to Locs," which creates medical wigs specifically designed for Black women, addressing the need for more representation and inclusivity in the healthcare industry. By working together, the NAACP and other organizations hope to bring about meaningful change and improve the health outcomes for Black communities.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
