The #1 health screening test that is skipped among Black people

According to the National Cancer Institute, only 60 percent of black people age 50 and older are screened for colorectal cancer, compared with 68 percent of white adults. But the situation is even more dire. According to the American Cancer Society, black people have a 20 percent higher diagnosis rate and are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. 40 percent are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than other races.

Considered the third most common cancer in the black community, it’s no wonder it’s a problem. But what drives it? Why are so many black men and women of all ages not getting screened? Why are opportunities for cancer being missed? save Lives that are not confiscated?

Unfortunately, there are no simple answers to these questions. However, if we look at the research and statistics and understand the cultural factors, we can begin to understand…

An alarming truth

The numbers of the Statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics are pretty grim. In 2023, about 153,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the U.S. alone. About 52,000 of those people are expected to die, and nearly 4,000 of them will be people under age 50.

So clearly, colorectal cancer is not a small problem. It’s a problem that can appear when people least expect it. One day, it’s stomach problems that don’t seem to go away, and then you go to the doctor and BOOM! You’re diagnosed with cancer.

Again, this is why early and regular detection is so important.

One of the reasons suspected for low screening rates is lack of access to health care. This can be due to many reasons, such as poor insurance coverage, lack of doctor’s offices or clinics in communities, or problems paying medical bills.

Sometimes, it’s also due to a lack of trust in doctors. Black patients, in particular, may feel that doctors are not aligned with their culture. They may not understand certain challenges, ethnic traditions, diets, or other lifestyle factors that affect Black health and well-being.

In some cases, it is simply a lack of awareness. Some communities are not given the necessary education about these types of health issues and screening procedures. They simply do not know, and unfortunately, you cannot treat what you do not know.

But it goes beyond this…

RELATED: Q&A: Are African Americans facing a silent crisis with colorectal cancer?

How colorectal cancer is different in black people

The problem of colorectal cancer in the black population is complicated. Not only does it occur at higher rates in more aggressive forms, but it actually manifests itself differently in exams and tests. The result? Many black patients may not be getting the diagnosis they need.

Lack of detection means lack of adequate treatment, which of course translates into worse outcomes in terms of survival. That is why it is so important to understand the biological differences.

According to research, black patients have unique genetic mutations that may make them more susceptible. These include problems with the KRAS, APC and BRAF V600E genes, which regulate how the body repairs DNA problems. If these genes don’t work properly, cancers are more likely to develop.

Black people also have cellular differences in the colon, which causes colorectal cancer to affect different parts of the colon. In fact, the black community is more likely to get this cancer on the right side of the colon, in addition to the rectum. This is problematic because these areas are often harder to detect and treat.

The tumor characteristics of colorectal cancer are also different. Studies indicate that black patients may have more proinflammatory cytokineswhich can increase tumor growth. This is one of the main reasons why their cancers may manifest more aggressively.

So what can be done?

The first thing is to know your options. If you have symptoms, don’t ignore them if they persist. Remember that many symptoms of colorectal cancer are often confused with others. Problems such as cramps, weight loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, and changes in bowel movement schedule can all be caused by colorectal cancer.

Even if you don’t have symptoms, you should start getting regular screenings at age 45, and earlier if there is a family history.

When it comes to screening, don’t be afraid to order more tests if nothing is found. In addition to the typical colonoscopy, tests like fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, stool DNA testing, and CT colonography can help tremendously.

Again, prevention is always better than cure. The first doctor you see will probably be a gastroenterologist, but then you may see an oncologist, a colorectal surgeon, a pathologist, and more.

If all of this seems overwhelming, think of it this way: You are facing this problem head on. You are discovering for yourself that… sureleaving no stone unturned and getting ahead of problems.

This is the best and smartest thing you can do, even if… can It can be a pain sometimes (pun intended)!