National Minority Cancer Awareness Week is April 15 – 21, and the Methodist Healthcare Cancer Center wants to encourage people belonging to minority populations to learn more about cancer and the screenings that are available. Studies show there is a disparity among survival rates depending on race and ethnic background.

“In order to save more lives, it is important that we reach out to the minority populations in our community,” said Dr. Dava Gerard, M.D., F.A.C.S., M.P.H., administrator for the Methodist Healthcare Cancer Center. Dr. Gerard says barriers such as lifestyle, socio-economic and access to medical care need to be addressed to help minorities gain equality in cancer treatment.

Cancer Statistics from the American Cancer Society:
• African-American men have almost twice the rate of prostate cancer compared to Caucasian men and are more than twice as likely to die of the disease.
• African-American women are less likely than Caucasian women to develop breast cancer; however, they are more likely to die from the disease if they develop it.
• African-Americans are less likely to than Caucasians to survive five years after diagnosis for all cancers.
• Cancer has also been the number one killer of Asian-American women since 1980.
• Breast cancer is less likely to be diagnosed at the earliest stages in Hispanic women compared to non-Hispanic Caucasian women.
• Hispanic women are 20% more likely to die of breast cancer than non-Hispanic Caucasian women who were diagnosed at a similar age and stage of cancer.

There are screenings available for some cancers, such as prostate, breast and colon cancer that can give patients an excellent tool to help fight these deadly diseases.

“The best way to beat cancer is to catch it early,” said Dr. Gerard. “If we can catch cancer early and intervene with treatment, in many cases, chances are excellent that the disease can be stopped.”

Pat Carter of Memphis, is a great example of how cancer screenings can save lives. During a routine screening four and a half years ago, Carter, learned he had prostate cancer. In his case, doctors were able to pinpoint the source of the cancer and treat it. Carter is a strong advocate for cancer screenings.

“I think if you are concerned about living the best you can, you need to take care to preserve yourself and that means to get screened for cancer,” said Carter.

To learn more about cancer and recommended screenings, go to methodisthealth.org or cancer.org. For Spanish-speaking individuals, go cancer.gov/espanol.