Other Cancers

Minority Women's Health > African Americans > Health Topics > Other Cancers

Cancer happens when some body cells don't work right, then those unhealthy cells divide over and over to make tissue that becomes a tumor. Cancerous tumors then invade healthy cells.

Breast, lung, and colon-rectum cancers are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in African American women. African American women are more likely than white women to die of cancer. Major cancer risk factors for African American women include smoking, poor diet, obesity, and getting screening tests for cervical and breast cancer too late or not at all. There is not enough information yet to figure out why African Americans have this cancer burden. Some reasons may be poor access to health care, poverty, tumors that are found at a later (more advanced) stage, different belief systems, fear of talking about cancer, or lack of trust of the medical system.

We do not know how to prevent cancer. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk:

Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help along the way, check out our Quitting Smoking section.
Keep a healthy weight.
Eat right. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work.
If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink per day.

Publications

Cervical Cancer (PDQ®): Screening - This page-by-page explanation of cervical cancer screening provides information about the risk factors for cervical cancer and the effectiveness of common screening methods.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/screening/cervical/patient/
Colorectal Cancer: Let's Break the Silence - Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many of these deaths can be prevented by screening and early detection. This brochure emphasizes the importance of colorectal cancer screening and explains medical terms patients might hear when talking about colorectal cancer with their doctors.
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/pdf/CCSilencebrochure.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions - Ovarian Cancer - This fact sheet explains what ovarian cancer is, why you should be concerned about it, and where you can get more information.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/ovarian.htm
What You Need To Know About™ Cancer of the Cervix - This booklet on cervical cancer discusses possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. It includes a glossary of terms and other resources.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix
What You Need To Know About™ Lung Cancer - The diagnosis of lung cancer brings with it many questions and a need for clear, understandable answers. This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet provides information about some causes and ways to prevent lung cancer, and it describes the symptoms, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/lung
Cancer Facts and Figures for African Americans 2007-2008 (Copyright © ACS) - This publication estimates the number of new cancer cases and deaths of African Americans and provides the most recent statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and five-year relative survival. It also includes sections on cancer risk factors such as tobacco use, physical activity, and the use of cancer screening examinations.
http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2007AAacspdf2007.pdf
Cancer Still a Heavy Burden for African Americans (Copyright © ACS) - This article from the American Cancer Society discusses how social and economic factors have affected African American cancer mortality.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Cancer_Still_a_Heavy_Burden_fo...
Lung Cancer and African-Americans (Copyright © ALA) - African Americans are more likely to develop and die from lung cancer than persons of any other racial or ethnic group. This fact sheet explains why the incidence of lung cancer is higher for African Americans and provides information on the social elements that contribute to this disparity.
http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058817&co...

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007