Health Disparities in Cancer

Not all Americans are benefitting equally from advances in medical care. Some minority groups are more likely to get cancer, more likely to die of cancer, or are less likely to survive after being diagnosed with cancer. These differences are called health disparities. Many different groups are affected by disparities, including racial and ethnic minorities, residents of rural areas, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Some other factors that affect disparities in cancer incidence (the number of new cancers), and cancer deaths include:

• Gender.

• Geographic location and related environmental factors.

• Culture (attitudes, beliefs and practices) and social contacts.

• Access to healthcare services and the quality of services provided.

• Socioeconomic status (education, income, and employment).

• Personal health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, and alcohol use).

• Occupation.

People of low socioeconomic status are more likely to live under circumstances that do not promote healthy behaviors.

People who do not have access to effective health care are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer when it is more advanced and harder to treat. Fear and cultural beliefs are also barriers to effective health care.

Cancer Rates

The United States Cancer Statistics: 2004 Incidence and Mortality reports the following trends by race/ethnicity for all cancers combined:

African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Alaska Natives and whites have different cancer rates and survival rates.

• Compared to whites, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men and women have lower rates for most cancers, but higher rates for cancers of the stomach, liver, cervix, kidney and gallbladder. In addition, cancer rates among AI/AN persons vary a great deal from one region to another, and are highest in Alaska and the Northern and Southern Plains and lowest in the Southwest.

• Asian/Pacific Islander men have the lowest cancer death rates.

• American Indian/Alaska Native women have the lowest cancer incidence rates and the third highest cancer death rates. For cancers of the breast and cervix, AI/AN women are less likely than white women to have their cancer found early.

• African Americans continue to suffer the greatest burden for each of the most common types of cancer. For all cancers combined, the death rate is 25 percent higher for African Americans than for whites.

Reducing Health Disparities

To reduce health disparities in cancer, the nation must address six key challenges:

1. Researching and documenting disparities that exist within and across distinct populations.

2. Researching and analyzing the social determinants of the disparities.

3. Developing and evaluating interventions to reduce disparities and promote health equity.

4. Connecting current research and key partners with the development of programs to address health disparities.

5. Identifying and addressing the barriers to equitable health associated with distinct populations.

6. Targeting resources to address health disparities.

Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in cancer will require enhanced efforts at preventing disease, early detection, and delivering appropriate care. CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control works to promote cancer education, prevention, treatment, and screening among all populations through its National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

For More Information

• Health Disparities in Cancer
• HHS Office of Minority Health
• CDC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
• NCI Cancer Health Disparities Portal
• Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH)
• Disparidades de salud del cáncer