As in the population at large, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in African American men
and women. In 2007, 21,150 lung cancer cases and 16,700 deaths from lung cancer are expected among African Americans.
Lung cancer is more common among African American men than white men, partly because of differences in smoking patterns. In addition, African Americans develop the disease at a much younger age than their white counterparts. Black men ages 40 to 54 are two to four times more likely to develop lung cancer than white men.
Studies also have shown that African Americans with early-stage lung cacner are less likely to undergo surgery, the primary curative option for early lung cancer. Their five-year survival rate is 35%, compared to
a 46% rate for whites.
More African American men smoke, and more of them smoke mentholated cigarettes, which may be
more harmful than regular cigarettes. 75% to 90% of African American smokers prefer menthol cigarettes, compared with 20% to 30% of white smokers. In addition, studies show that people who are poor tend to smoke fewer cigarettes, but much more intensely in order to get a higher dose of nicotine within more of
a budget.
Although lung cancer rates have been decreasing among African American men since 1984, rates continue to rise among African American women.
For more information:
Lung Cancer Presentation 2008
Oral Cancer Presentation 2008
Esophageal Cancer Presentation 2008
LTAI Program Guide
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