Cancer among Black women shows no signs of decline

Cancer is not only a life-threatening disease, but a word laden with fear, anxiety, and negative connotations. It is also one of the most serious medical diagnoses. Additionally, recent studies have demonstrated that as of 2022, there were 224,080 new cancer cases and a whopping 73,680 cancer-related deaths among Blacks. Black women in particular are at risk for many variations of cancer.
The most common types of cancer among Black women include breast cancer, lung cancer, colon, rectum cancer and uterine cancer. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the top site for cancer among Black women is breast cancer, with a rate of 129.6 per 100,000 women. As of 2019, breast cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death among Black women. 12 percent of Black women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Although, Black women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in contrast to White women, Black women are 41 percent more likely to die from breast cancer.
Breast cancer
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is more aggressive, expensive and difficult to treat. In order to catch a diagnosis or prevent the incidence of breast cancer it is important to screen for breast cancer regularly. Many young Black women have high incidences of breast cancer earlier than other ethnicities. According to Health Matters, a study published in JAMA Network Open recommended that Black women test for breast cancer beginning at 35. Additionally, there is a 24.1 percent survival rate for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Triple negative breast cancer is a cancer that lacks estrogen and progesterone receptors and doesn’t produce or produces too little of the HER2 protein. According to https://www.breastcancer.org, Black women diagnosed with this type of cancer are 28 percent more likely to die than white women. The most common method of treatment is surgery and chemotherapy. In addition to being screened at an early age, it is important to conduct self-exams and watch out for palpable masses, nipple discharge, and skin changes.
There are many contributing factors that cause breast cancer such as genetics, tumor biology, lack of access to adequate health care, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption and poor nutrition. Cancers caused by infectious organisms can be prevented through behavioral changes, vaccination or treatment of the infection. 40 percent of the racial variation in breast cancer subtypes are due to inherent genetic mutations.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer among Black women. Lung cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells that line the air passage. Symptoms of lung cancer include a new cough that doesn’t go away, chest pain, coughing up blood, hoarseness, shortness of breath and wheezing. There are also several symptoms that occur when it has spread to various parts of the body including bone pain, headache, unintentional weight loss and swelling in the face and or neck. According to the American Lung Association, 16 percent of Black women are less likely to be diagnosed at an early stage. Each year 6,800 Black women die of lung cancer. Additionally Smoking makes up 90 percent of lung cancer cases. Lung cancer is caused by smoking, exposure to chemicals in the workplace, air pollution, and radon gas. Other contributing factors include secondhand smoke, family history, previous lung disease, and diet.
Colorectal cancer
Black women are at a high risk of dying of colorectal cancer. According to Why Is Colorectal Cancer in African Americans Hard To Treat? One Reason Is Genetics | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org), Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is a disease that develops when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. Many of these cancers begin as noncancerous growths called polyps. Screening is necessary for those who may be at risk for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopies are exams during which a camera is put at the end of a long tube to look inside the colon and rectum for polyps. Black women are at a high risk of colorectal cancer but not because of genetics. Black women are at a higher risk because of lack of access to high-quality screening and cancer care.
Although the death rate for Black women is substantial, there are some preventative measures that women can take to prevent the risk of colorectal cancer. For example, obesity is not only unhealthy but can be avoided by maintaining a healthy weight. Other life choices such as being more active, eating a diet high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains help to lower the risk. Quitting smoking and limiting alcoholic beverages to one a day can lower the risk of colorectal cancer substantially.
Uterine cancer
Uterine cancer is one of the most deadly cancers known to affect Black women. Black women have a higher risk of uterine cancer than other groups. Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with uterine cancer and more than two times likely to die from uterine cancer than other racial groups. According to an article called Uterine Cancer and Black Women (nyp.org), 64 percent of Black women have a five-year survival period. Black women also run the risk of developing a faster, more aggressive type of uterine cancer called non-endometrioid cancer. This cancer is more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. It is a type of cancer that begins in the layer of the cells that form the lining of the uterus. The most common type of uterine cancer is endometrial cancer, which forms in the uterus, i.e. the endometrium. The article also states that Black women tend to get diagnosed later on when the cancer is more advanced and harder to treat. Women should have a gynecological exam once a year.
Symptoms of uterine cancer include vaginal bleeding between periods before menopause and after menopause, lower abdominal pain or cramping, frequent vaginal bleeding and clear or white vaginal discharge for postmenopausal women. Preventative measures include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating healthy. There are also certain risk factors for developing uterine cancer such as obesity, PCOS, taking estrogen, aging, a diet high in animal fat, diabetes, family history and Lynch syndrome. Uterine cancer has replaced colorectal cancer as the second most common cancer for Black women.