Cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. There are more than 100 types of cancer, with the most common in the Black community in...
BHealthy Editorial Team
Overview
Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. There are more than 100 types of cancer, with the most common in the Black community including breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer. While cancer affects people of every background, Black Americans face some of the highest cancer mortality rates of any racial group in the United States — a gap driven largely by later diagnosis, unequal access to care, and systemic health disparities rather than biology.
Common Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest
- A new lump or thickening in the breast, testicle, or elsewhere
- Changes in a mole or new skin changes
- A sore that does not heal
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- Changes in bowel or bladder habits
- Difficulty swallowing or chronic indigestion
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Persistent pain in the bones or elsewhere
Risk Factors
- Tobacco use, including smoking and secondhand smoke
- Family history of cancer, especially breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Diets high in processed and red meats and low in fruits and vegetables
- Exposure to cancer-causing substances at work or in the environment
- Certain infections such as HPV and hepatitis B and C
- Limited access to cancer screening and preventive care
- Inherited gene mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
Impact on the Black Community
Black Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial group for many cancers. Black men are about 2.1 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men, and Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer despite having a lower overall incidence. These disparities are driven by later-stage diagnosis, lower screening rates, unequal access to quality treatment, and underrepresentation in clinical trials — not by inherent biological differences.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any health concerns.
