Advancing Prevention and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Black Communities

Despite being highly preventable and treatable, colorectal cancer remains a significant health disparity, causing more deaths among Black Americans than any other racial group in the United States. Incidence and mortality rates are approximately 20% and 30% higher in Black populations compared to White populations, contributing to ongoing racial health inequities.

A recent review led by Dr. Folasade May, a gastroenterologist and cancer prevention researcher at UCLA, offers insights into the underlying causes of these disparities and strategies for their elimination. Published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the study examines social determinants such as access to healthcare, socioeconomic challenges, and systemic inequities that hinder timely screening, diagnosis, and treatment for Black individuals.

Although overall colorectal cancer rates have declined over the past four decades, progress has been slower in Black communities, resulting in a persistently higher disease burden. Dr. May emphasizes that these disparities are not due to biological differences but are largely influenced by social and environmental factors that impact access to quality screening and care.

Key factors driving disparities include lifestyle and environmental risks such as obesity, limited availability of healthy foods, and low vitamin D levels; barriers to screening like financial hardship, transportation issues, and mistrust in the healthcare system; inadequate access to up-to-date medical treatments; and pervasive systemic racism affecting healthcare delivery and neighborhood resources.

However, these disparities are not inevitable. Existing evidence points to effective interventions, including culturally tailored education programs, patient navigation services helping individuals complete screenings, policies like the Affordable Care Act that expand preventive care access, health system innovations like automated screening reminders, and comprehensive community interventions. For instance, systems providing equal access, such as the Veterans Health Administration, have demonstrated that eliminating coverage disparities can significantly reduce screening gaps.

Dr. May advocates for a dual approach: first, ensuring universal health insurance coverage for screening and treatment, which can improve outcomes within five to ten years; second, addressing broader social determinants like poverty, discrimination, and healthcare infrastructure to create equitable cancer care long-term. She states, "This is a solvable problem. With available resources and commitment, we can reduce colorectal cancer disparities and save lives."

The research underscores the importance of coordinated efforts among policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to develop targeted solutions that promote health equity and ultimately diminish the impact of colorectal cancer in Black populations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-colorectal-cancer-treatment-black-americans.html