America’s “war on cancer” continues to make improvements in the screening, detection, and treatment of cancer, cutting overall mortality rates and enabling most people to survive longer and with a better quality of life.
Black Americans have not benefited equally from these advances. Cancer survival rates are lower for Black people than for white people for almost every type of cancer. Black men are 2 to 4 times more likely to die of prostate cancer than any other racial or ethnic group, for example. Black women are 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer.
But there is reason for hope. Across the country, researchers, clinicians, patients, advocates, community leaders, and activists are working to circumvent or eliminate obstacles to care. Closing the Cancer Gap highlights those working to ensure that all benefit from the gains made in detecting and treating cancer while providing patients and families with the tools to navigate these obstacles.
