Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the Black community.
Angele Russell
Senior Director of Health Equity, Colorectal Cancer Alliance
In the United States, Black Americans tend to experience earlier onset and worse disease outcomes, and they have the second-highest incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer. They are 15% more likely to develop the disease and 35% more likely to die from it than non-Hispanic white Americans. Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer in the Black community are also increasing.
Screening is the No. 1 way to prevent colorectal cancer or find it early when it is highly treatable. Colorectal cancer has about a 90% survival rate with early detection and treatment. That’s why it’s critical for Black Americans to know colorectal cancer risk factors, symptoms, and screening options.
What to know
A prominent risk factor for colorectal cancer is being a Black American. As noted above, Black people have a higher incidence rate of the disease. Other risk factors include a family history of colorectal cancer; certain inherited genetic syndromes like Lynch syndrome; chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; and type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms to look for include a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, weakness and/or fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. There are a variety of screening options, including colonoscopies and at-home screening tests, depending on your individual risk factors.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers a free, easy quiz that provides a screening recommendation based on personal risk factors at quiz.getscreened.org. You can print the results and share them with your doctor.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance works to empower people to better navigate colorectal cancer outcomes in their lives and communities. This includes ongoing local and national efforts to increase awareness among young Black people who might not know their risk factors, and providing resources and screening assistance aimed at early detection. We offer certified care navigators and financial assistance for non-medical expenses related to colorectal cancer screening and treatment. Visit http://www.colorectalcancer.org/health-equity to learn more about the Alliance’s Health Equity initiatives and impact.
