Colon cancer, a greater danger for black men

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, and fatigue.

Usually, if a suspected colorectal cancer is found by any screening or diagnostic test, it is biopsied during a colonoscopy. Colon cancer is so preventable that some describe it as “the disease no one has to die from.”  Yet a black young famous actor died from this disease this year.

Black men, specifically, remain the most vulnerable group in the United States, diagnosed more often and at later, hard-to-treat stages. Studies show that people with higher levels of vitamin D have lower colorectal cancer rates, but research on supplements has yielded mixed results.

Studies show that a Black man is 24% more likely to get colorectal cancer than a white man and 47% more likely to die from it.

Scientists are still searching for the reason behind this issue, but they still haven’t figured it out. I used to think rates were higher among Black men because they don’t have good access to health care,” says Hickman. “That is true, but even the ones who do have access can get into trouble.”

Resource