Sharing Life....

For the last few years, I’ve had the privilege of being a staff, finance and research assistant for the behavioral research department of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Of the many roles I’ve played and many hats I’ve worn, Special Pops researcher is by FAR the most rewarding position I’ve had a chance to fill. I love learning. I love growing. I love understanding. And for me, being able to quench my undying thirst for the unknown through research as well as inform others of improving their quality of life AND helping advance my people has been the best of both worlds. I get to share my compassion for people as well as fulfill my own selfish need for finding answers to things I’ve always wanted to know.
In saying that… I found it quite odd that I’ve been blogging for a year and a half now, and have NEVER shared anything remotely pertaining to our work at ACS… on this site.

I’ve meant to share tidbits of my research and etc. on numerous occasions… only to find that after work…or on my break during work…the LAST thing I wanna write about is… WORK. lol. However, because of the nature of what we do… I’d be selfish NOT to at least share a few facts with you. Trust me, this thing is much deeper than these few facts… but I just want to at least inform some, and remind others of the cancer disparities we as African Americans face…and encourage you to do something about it.

Stats from our recently published Cancer Facts and Figures for African Americans 2005-2006


~~ African Americans have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group for ALL cancers combined and for most major cancers.

~~About 63,110 African Americans are expected to die from cancer this year.

~~African American men have a 20% higher incidence rate and a 40% higher death rate from all cancers combined than white men.

*sidenote*
African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of cancer than whites, possibly due to factors such as less knowledge about cancer symptoms and reduced access to cancer screening services. How many times have we heard our parents or grandparents refuse to go see a doctor because nothing’s “wrong” with them? Or because they’ll “be alright”…”it’s just a little pain that’ll go away”? *raise yo’ hand* As African Americans, we JUST WILL go to the doctor if something is majorly wrong. So imagine trying to get Ole Betty Jean or Eddie Leroy over here to go see a doctor when they feel absolutely fine! Yet that’s where we need to be heading. Unfortunately, the society we live in has yet to catch up with where we NEED to be. We don’t truly have a health care system…we have a sick care system. Our system is set up to care for the sick, cover up symptoms, and fix what’s broken instead of preventing what doesn’t have to be and intervening on situations that could stop us from becoming SICK. However, despite the set up, there are STILL preventative measures we should begin taking so that if something IS wrong, we can get it detected early…even before the symptoms manifest, and increase or chance of survival. We gotta start getting examined even when we feel fine, because usually when we begin to FEEL sick, we’re already in a later stage of our sickness.

Plus, the socioeconomic status of many African Americans also is a leading factor in the disparities we see in cancer incidence and mortality rates. We make up only 13% of the US population, but comprise 24% of the nation’s poor. Please, try to better your situation and those around you. Do your share to help the less fortunate.


~~The most commonly diagnosed cancers among African American men continue to be prostate (41.8), lung (14.6), and colon and rectum (10.2%).

~~Among African American women, the most common cancers are breast (29.9%), colon and rectum (13.3), and lung (13.2)

~~Lung cancer accounts for the largest number of cancer deaths among both men and women, followed by prostate cancer in men, and breast cancer in women.

TOBACCO is the most preventable cause of premature death in the US and is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths. In addition to lung cancer, cigarette smoking is associated with cancers of the lip, mouth and pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, cervix, bladder, liver, and kidney, as well as the myeloid leukemia.
The rate of adult smoking has been consistently higher in African American men than white men although the % of adult who smoke…as well as the disparity across race have decreased over time. Black men start smoking at an older age and smoke fewer cigarettes than their white counterparts, however they usually smoke more intensely and are more likely to smoke mentholated brands…*ya’ll know it’s true*…which has been shown to have HIGHER carbon monoxide concentrations than regular cigarettes…and maybe be associated with a greater absorption of nicotine.

An estimated 108 million are overweight or obese in the US. In addition to diabetes, heart disease and stroke, obesity increases the risk of breast, colon, rectum, endometrium, adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, gallbladder, pancreas, liver, gastric cardia, and kidney cancer. The prevalence of overweight is substantially higher in African American women (77%) than White (57%)…and 49% of African American women are obese compared to 31% of white women.


Please Please Please.

1. Go get Screened. Early detection is CRUCIAL for better chances of survival. If you don’t know where, when, for what, or etc… contact me and I will help direct you to more information. (email addy on profile page)
2. Eat healthy and Exercise regularly. The best type of care is preventative care.
3. Stop smoking!


Let’s become more aware. More informed. More proactive. More preventive. More empowered! To know and share could be the difference between life and death. Be the difference.