Title: Race and ethnicity as cancer risk factors | MD Anderson Cancer Center
Headings: Race and ethnicity as cancer risk factors
Race and ethnicity as cancer risk factors
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Content: Race and ethnicity as cancer risk factors | MD Anderson Cancer Center
April 23, 2010
Race and ethnicity as cancer risk factors
BY MD Anderson
As we acknowledge National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, it's an appropriate time to pause to look at why race and ethnicity might be risk factors for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the incidence of cancer (those who are diagnosed with the disease) in the United States is highest in African-Americans followed by Caucasians, Hispanics, Asian-Americans and American Natives, and deaths (those who die from the disease) are highest in African-Americans followed by Caucasians, American Natives, Hispanics and Asian-Americans. The chart below includes data from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society on the three most common types of cancer: lung, prostate and breast. Lung Cancer - Men and Women
Prostate Cancer - Men
Breast Cancer - Women
Highest Incidence Rate
African-American males
African- American
White, non-Hispanic
Lowest Incidence Rate
Hispanic females
American Indian/Natives
Korean American
Highest Death Rate
African-American males
African- American
African-American
Lowest Death Rate
Hispanic females
Asian / Pacific Islander
Chinese American
Recent research indicates that there are many factors, including ethnicity, that may contribute to the development and survival rates for some cancers. Some of the factors are: Lifestyle behaviors encompassing diet, physical exercise, sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol use and sexual practice behaviors
Socioeconomic factors including education and income level, access to health insurance, and routine medical screening and services
Genetic factors involving inherited genes and a family history of certain diseases
Cultural factors involving practices, beliefs and in some instances mistrust of the health care system, which may prevent some from seeking preventive screening services
Age, which supports the concept that cancer is a disease largely associated with aging; so the longer one lives, the greater that person's risk for developing the disease
The question is often asked, "Why can't we cure cancer?" One reason is that there isn't just "one" cancer. There are more than 200 types of cancer and treatment for one type might not work for another.