As cancer death rates plunge, clear disparities remain, new report says

Cancer death rates in the United States have declined by 35% since 1991, preventing nearly 5 million deaths, according to a report from the American Association for Cancer Research. While advancements in treatment and increased screening drive this progress, significant disparities in mortality and access to care persist among racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as populations in lower-income counties.

Did You Know? During a routine colonoscopy, physicians can identify and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into malignant tumors, a procedure that has contributed to 79% of averted colorectal cancer deaths.

Persistent Disparities in Cancer Outcomes

Despite the national downward trend in mortality, the burden of cancer remains unevenly distributed. According to Mariana Stern, chair of the report and a professor at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, African American, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations face the highest overall cancer death rates of any racial or ethnic group in the country.

Black Americans are twice as likely as white Americans to die from multiple myeloma, as well as cancers of the prostate, stomach, and gallbladder. Furthermore, breast cancer mortality rates are 35% higher among Black women than their white counterparts. These gaps are often tied to systemic factors, including limited access to quality healthcare and socioeconomic conditions that influence overall health and quality of life.

Barriers to Early Detection

Screening remains a primary tool for catching cancer early, yet participation rates vary significantly by demographic. The report found that in 2023, only 53% of Hispanic people and 57% of Asian and American Indian/Alaska Native people were up to date on colonoscopies, compared to 67% of white people. This gap is particularly concerning as early-onset colorectal cancer continues to rise.

Alex Valdez, 40, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 38 after undergoing a colonoscopy for pre-existing conditions. “A lot of people are under the misconception that they don’t need to get a colonoscopy until their mid-40s, but it happened to me at 38,” Valdez said. Beyond colonoscopies, cervical cancer screening rates also remain lower among Asian and Hispanic women, as well as women residing in lower-income counties, where death rates from the disease are 49% higher than in wealthier areas.

Expert Insight: The Role of Support Systems

Expert Insight: Medical professionals emphasize that clinical advancements are only effective if patients can access them. Dr. Sarah Kim, a gynecologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, notes that many patients face logistical hurdles—such as holding multiple jobs or lacking consistent healthcare coverage—that prevent regular screenings. While resources like patient navigators have proven successful in helping patients overcome these barriers and attend surveillance appointments, the long-term availability of such support programs remains uncertain.

What May Happen Next

The trajectory of progress in reducing cancer disparities could face challenges due to shifts in federal funding. According to Mariana Stern, the administration’s proposal to cut the budget for the National Institutes of Health and eliminate the National Institute of Minority and Health Disparities may threaten current initiatives aimed at closing the gap in cancer outcomes. Additionally, with enrollment in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act falling by more than 5 million over the past year, experts suggest that obstacles to accessing timely, recommended care may increase for medically underserved populations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the HPV vaccine considered a critical tool in cancer prevention?
According to Dr. Sarah Kim, the vaccine is highly effective at preventing cervical cancer, carries no known side effects, and is easily accessible at pharmacies without a prescription or doctor’s appointment.

What are patient navigators, and why are they important?
Patient navigators are professionals who guide individuals through the healthcare system to help them overcome barriers to care, such as ensuring patients do not miss vital surveillance or treatment appointments.

How has the demographic profile of colorectal cancer changed?
The disease is increasingly appearing in people under age 50. The Hispanic population has seen the most significant rise in early-onset cases, with annual increases of 4.7% among women and 3.7% among men.

What steps can be taken to ensure that all communities have equitable access to life-saving cancer screenings?