March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

By V.S. Santoni Colorectal cancer poses a significant health risk, particularly for African American populations, who face disproportionate challenges and outcomes compared to other racial and ethnic groups, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. As March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s crucial to highlight the concerning statistics surrounding this disease. From 2015-2019, African American men were 1.2 times more likely to have new cases of colon cancer compared to non-Hispanic white men, and 1.7 times more likely to have new cases of prostate cancer. Furthermore, Black men are 1.8 times as likely to have stomach cancer and 2.5 times more likely to die from it. Additionally, their 5-year survival rates for most cancer sites are lower than those of non-Hispanic white men, with colorectal cancer being particularly deadly. Similarly, Black women face concerning statistics. While they are just as likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer as non-Hispanic white women, they are almost 40 percent more likely to die from it. Additionally, they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with stomach cancer and 2.3 times more likely to die from it compared to non-Hispanic white women. These disparities underscore the...