Minority Women's Health

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Other Cancers

Minority Women's Health > African Americans > Health Topics > Other Cancers

Cancer happens when some body cells don't work right, then those unhealthy cells divide over and over to make tissue that becomes a tumor. Cancerous tumors then invade healthy cells.

Breast, lung, and colon-rectum cancers are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in African American women. African American women are more likely than white women to die of cancer. Major cancer risk factors for African American women include smoking, poor diet, obesity, and getting screening tests for cervical and breast cancer too late or not at all. There is not enough information yet to figure out why African Americans have this cancer burden. Some reasons may be poor access to health care, poverty, tumors that are found at a later (more advanced) stage, different belief systems, fear of talking about cancer, or lack of trust of the medical system.

We do not know how to prevent cancer. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk:

• Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to quit. For help along the way, check out our Quitting Smoking section.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Eat right. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days of the week. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Or, walk during breaks at work.
• If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink per day.

Publications

1.   Fact Sheet — Ovarian Cancer — This fact sheet explains what ovarian cancer is, why you should be concerned about it, and where you can get more information.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/ovarian-cancer.cfm

2.     Colorectal Cancer: Let's Break the Silence — Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many of these deaths can be prevented by screening and early detection. This brochure emphasizes the importance of colorectal cancer screening and explains medical terms patients might hear when talking about colorectal cancer with their doctors.

   http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/pdf/CCSilencebrochure.pdf

3.   What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Uterus — This booklet on uterine cancer discusses possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, emotional issues, and questions to ask the doctor. It also includes a glossary of terms and additional resources for more information.

   http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/uterus

4.   What You Need To Know About Lung Cancer — The diagnosis of lung cancer brings with it many questions and a need for clear answers. This booklet provides an overview of lung cancer, including its causes and risk factors. It describes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease, and includes lists of questions to ask your doctor from diagnosis through treatment.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/lung

5.   Cancer Facts and Figures for African Americans 2009-2010 (Copyright © American Cancer Society) — This publication presents the most recent statistics on the rate of cancer diagnosis, survival, and deaths in African-Americans. It also includes sections on cancer risk factors such as tobacco use and lack of physical activity, as well as the use of cancer screening examinations.

   http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/cffaa_2009-2010.pdf

6.   You Are a Survivor: Living After Cancer Treatment (Copyright © Lance Armstrong Foundation) — This is a brochure written specifically for African-American cancer survivors. It raises awareness of the physical, practical, and emotional concerns of cancer survivors, lists resources, and encourages survivors to seek support.

   http://www.livestrong.org/atf/cf/%7BFB6FFD43-0E4C-4414-8B37-0D001EFBDC49%7D/brochure_aa.pdf...

Organizations

1.   National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, NCCDPHP, CDC
2.   National Cancer Institute, NIH, HHS
3. American Cancer Society
4. American Lung Association
5. Intercultural Cancer Council
6. National Cervical Cancer Coalition
7. Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

= Indicates Federal Resources

Resources reviewed March 2008.