Colon Cancer Concerns in African American Community

Based on guidelines from the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the current colon cancer screening age recommendations for average-risk African-Americans is 45 and the recommended screening test is a colonoscopy. Why is there such an emphasis on the African American community?

Because African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer of any ethnic group in the United States.

Colorectal cancer disproportionately affects the black community. African-Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than other ethnic groups. Also, among African American patients, colon cancer occurs at a higher rate below the age of 50.

Part of the problem is compliance with colon cancer screening protocols, with screening rates among African-Americans at only 38%. Simply put, screening protocols are in place to detect and treat cancers early. Unfortunately, patients are not presenting for these procedures, and therefore detection is late, and cancers are at more advanced stages where curative options may no longer be available.

There are a couple of barriers that stop those in the African American community from getting screened.

Cultural Barriers

  • Mistrust of the medical community
  • High burden of cancer risk factors such as diet, exercise, obesity, and underlying health conditions
  • Reliance on leaders/laypersons in the community for trusted information

Socioeconomic Barriers

  • Low income
  • Access to transportation
  • Lack of health insurance
  • Lack of medical literacy
  • Access to care, especially those living in rural areas
  • Discrimination within the health care system

That is why at Digestive Health Specialists we make a continued effort to provide reliable information patients can trust, and make continued efforts to increase knowledge of new screening guidelines in the African American communities. We hope these efforts increase African American patient screenings. Although this disease is the third cause of cancer-related deaths in the black community, it’s highly preventable.

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