Racial Disparities Impacting Cancer Outcomes, Especially Among Blacks in the U.S.

Racial disparities in cancer research and care continue to take their toll on minorities in America, according to a new report.

The American Association for Cancer Research says advances against the disease are not benefitting all patients due to systemic inequities. 

Their 2024 report finds Black and Indigenous people have the highest overall cancer death rates, despite having lower incidence rates than whites.

The latest data shows Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to white men while Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer.

The analysis also finds that American Indian and other underserved communities are being hit harder by stomach and liver cancer.

The authors say that along with racial discrimination, zip code and sexuality are impacting cancer outcomes.

For example, they found lung cancer is hitting hard in underserved rural counties and among transgender people.

The chair of the report says, “…We must keep fighting to ensure equal access and improved health care delivery for all people. The key is to keep talking, reporting and advocating."

The report also lists education, income, employment, housing and access to healthy food and clean water as social factors in cancer disparities.