Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the chance of developing certain types of cancer
By: Peter I. Yi, M.D., FACP, in collaboration with Gloria N. Beck
Although cancer touches people from all walks of life, statistics show that some forms of the disease are far more common and deadly for certain members of minority groups.
For example, while African-American women are less likely to develop breast cancer than white women, the disease is twice as likely to be fatal. In fact, African Americans have the highest cancer death rate for all cancers combined, and most major cancers individually.
Prostate, lung and colon/rectal cancers are particularly common and fatal among African-American men, while women tend to most frequently suffer from breast, colon/rectal and lung cancers. Among Hispanics, these same cancers tend to strike far less frequently. Instead, they experience high rates of stomach, cervical and liver cancer, which are usually diagnosed at later, frequently fatal stages.
Generally, these differences in cancer and mortality rates can be traced to a lack of screening, failure to receive prompt and appropriate treatment, and environmental impact.
Cancer rates among members of the Indian, Chinese and Korean populations begin to mirror U.S. rates once they have been in the country for a while. While liver and stomach cancer rates are high among these populations in their own countries, these rates drop in the United States. Instead, members of these groups start to experience the same cancer risks as the rest of the nation. Many do not realize that they should be screened for these new risks, unfortunately.
For example, Asian-American and Pacific Islander women have low rates of breast and cervical cancer in their homelands, but within a decade of immigrating here, their cancer rates begin to rise to U.S. levels. While environmental and dietary factors may be the primary reason for the increase in cancer, lack of screening results in higher fatalities, since these women are being diagnosed at more advanced stages.
In general, cancer is on the rise among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The disease is the leading cause of death in the community and is increasing at an alarming rate by 200 percent in the past 10 years, compared to an increase of 30 percent among other ethnic groups.
Of course there is a surefire way to help lower cancer fatalities among all populations a combination of prevention, early detection and prompt treatment.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the chance of developing certain types of cancer. Quitting smoking, or never smoking at all; maintaining a healthy diet and weight; getting regular exercise, and using proper protection from the sun are important prevention methods.
In addition, regular physicals and consultations with a doctor when health conditions change is extremely important. Talking to your doctor about any unusual symptoms you are experiencing can lead to testing that uncovers a condition that can easily be treated in its early stages, but can be potentially fatal if undetected until months or years after those symptoms began. Early detection of cancer is the primary key to winning the fight against this disease.
Beyond reporting any unusual symptoms, it is extremely important to get proper screenings for dangerous illnesses such as cancers of the prostate, colon and breast. Women should have annual breast exams by a health care professional beginning at age 30, and begin annual mammograms at 40. Pap smears to detect cervical cancer should be done annually as well, beginning three years after a woman becomes sexually active or no later than age 21.
African-American men should be sure to have a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test and digital rectal examination annually beginning at age 45 to detect prostate cancer. Because they tend to develop the disease earlier than men in other ethnic groups and are at high risk of developing prostate cancer, it is recommended that they not wait until the age of 50, which is the age generally recommended for testing among other ethnic groups.
For more information about cancer treatment and screenings, call the Cancer Program at University Medical Center at Princeton, (609) 497-4475. To find a University Medical Center at Princeton physician, call (888) 742-7496 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.