June 19th marks the annual commemoration of the freeing of the last slaves in Galveston, Texas. Although Juneteenth celebrates the official abolition of slavery, the slaves in the South only learned of the news of their emancipation a full two and a half years after it was proclaimed. While this holiday is a time to reflect on the past, it is also a reminder to delve into what history can teach us about the present day.
The newest “Cancer Facts & Figures for African American/Black People 2022-2024” -report, a scientific paper published in the American Cancer Society flagship journal, sheds light on current statistics about cancer in African American/Black people in the United States with extensive data about risk factors, incidence, survival, and mortality rates as well as trends by age, state of residence, and race and ethnicity.
Here are some key findings:
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Black women.
- For most types of cancer, Black people have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the United States.
- Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women, even though fewer Black women are diagnosed.
- Black women are less likely than White women to have their imaging performed at a facility with the most current technology.
- Only 57% of breast cancers in Black women are diagnosed at a local stage compared to 67% in White women.
- Over half of this disparity is due to differences in insurance coverage.
As researchers from the American Cancer Society explicitly note, only a small fraction of the racial differences in cancer deaths can be attributed to genetic differences. The reality is that these disparities are driven by decades of structural racism and a higher risk of lower socioeconomic status.
With these particularly staggering statistics in mind, Koning is more committed than ever to providing accessible, regular, risk-adapted screenings to all women, starting as early as science deems necessary. Read more about our technology and impact in the fight against breast cancer here.
Source:
American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures for African American/Black People 2022-2024.