• African-Americans have a decreased likelihood of surviving 5 years after a cancer diagnosis than whites for all cancers and at all stages of diagnosis.
• Much of the disparity in survival for African-Americans is believed to be due to factors associated with poverty, including reduced access to
Medical care, diagnosis at later stage, and disparities in treatment
• The relative five year survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed from 1999-2000 among African-American women was 75% compared to 89% for whites.
• The relative five year survival rate for colorectal cancer improved from 45% in 1974-76 to 55% om 2000. However, this improvement was smaller than that of whites (50% to 64%) over the same period of time
• 88% of of all prostate cancers among African-Americans are diagnosed at the local and regional stages compared to 91% in whites. When diagnosed at this stage, the relative survival rate is 100%. The 5-year survival rate drops to 29% when the cancer has spread to distant sites.

American Cancer Society – Cancer Facts and Figures for African-Americans 2005-2006

Learn more about these topics by clicking on the links.

National Cancer Institute

CDC: Breast Cancer & Mammography Info

American Lung Association

Georgia Cancer Coalition

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