April is National Minority Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to highlighting the disproportionate impact of cancer on racial and ethnic minority communities. It is a time to promote cancer screenings while focusing on health disparities driven by limited access to care and socioeconomic disadvantages in order to improve early detection and survival rates for all.
Although overall U.S. cancer mortality has declined by more than 30% since 1991, these gains have not been shared equally across all demographics.
National data continues to show significant disparities:
- Black Americans have the highest overall cancer mortality rate and are approximately 15–20% more likely to die from cancer than White Americans.
- Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer despite similar incidence rates.
Black men have more than double the mortality rate from prostate cancer compared with White men. - American Indian and Alaska Native communities experience some of the highest mortality rates for kidney and liver cancers.
- Hispanic and Latino patients are more likely to be diagnosed with cervical, liver, and gastric cancers at later stages.
- Minority populations remain underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting equitable access to innovation.
These disparities are not rooted in biology alone. They reflect barriers in access, insurance coverage, transportation, language services, screening availability, and historical mistrust in the healthcare system.
We’re Here to Help Improve the Well-being of Our Community
As a person-centered, community-based healthcare provider, Griffin Health is committed to improving access to high-quality medical care by expanding free health education programs, providing access to cancer screening services close-to-home, strengthening patient navigation to reduce delays, supporting culturally responsive care, increasing clinical trial participation, and partnering with trusted community organizations.
For more information about Griffin’s cancer care services, including mammography, advanced screening and treatment for prostate cancer, CT low-dose lung cancer screening, genetic testing and consultation, and survivorship support, visit griffinhealth.org/cancer.
Complete preventive health starts with seeing a primary care physician, who can help plan health goals, assess wellness levels and assist with screenings for cancer and other chronic conditions. Griffin Faculty Physicians offers compassionate, individualized primary care focused on each patient’s well-being. For more information, visit https://gfp.griffinhealth.org.
Cancer does not affect all communities equally—but access to health education, early detection, treatment, and survivorship care should not depend on zip code, language, or background.