Minorities face greater health risks in Missouri

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Missouri minorities, as a group, experience higher death rates for the four leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the state lung, breast, prostate and colorectal cancers according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.|ret||ret||tab|

A study by the National Institute of Health indicated that a lack of insurance coverage is considered one of the greatest contributors to poor health outcomes. Minorities are less likely to have a regular doctor or health insurance, which results in less preventive care, fewer cancer screenings and later diagnoses, less-effective cancer treatment and a lower chance of patient survival.|ret||ret||tab|

The Intercultural Cancer Council, a national organization associated with Baylor College of Medicine with the goal of eliminating unequal burden of cancer amount racial and ethnic minorities and medical underserved populations, released a report on the reasons for cancer and other health status disparities in minority and medically underserved populations. |ret||ret||tab|

Included in the report's findings were:|ret||ret||tab|

under-use of screening for breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancers;|ret||ret||tab|

delayed cancer diagnosis, coupled with inadequate access to quality cancer treatment and unequal diagnostic work-up and treatment after entry into the health care system;|ret||ret||tab|

higher percentage of low-income households among racial and ethnic minorities, resulting in less availability, accessibility and utilization of health services;|ret||ret||tab|

cultural and language barriers to health care services and providers; and|ret||ret||tab|

higher incidence of unhealthy lifestyles, such as tobacco use, high-fat diet and lack of exercise.|ret||ret||tab|

Five primary lifestyle choices can greatly reduce the risk of cancer, according to Sue Heisler, program manager of Comprehensive Cancer Control with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. |ret||ret||tab|

"Avoiding tobacco in all forms is the single most important lifestyle choice anyone can make in preventing many types of cancers," Heisler said. |ret||ret||tab|

The other four choices were eating a nutritious and balanced diet, including about 30 minutes of physical activity daily, obtaining cancer screenings according to recommendations and complying with recommended treatment or seeking help with compliance.|ret||ret||tab|

Missouri's minorities are greatly affected by colorectal, prostate, breast and cervical cancers. African-American women have new cases and death rates for cervical cancer twice that are as high as Caucasian women. |ret||ret||tab|

While African-American men have a rate of new prostate cancer cases that is slightly higher than Caucasian men, the death rate from prostate cancer among African-American men is more than twice that of Caucasian men. Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all races equally, but the death rate is 30 percent higher in African-Americans than Caucasians.|ret||ret||tab|

African-American women have a lower rate of new breast cancer cases, yet a higher death rate. Heisler said that the Show Me Healthy Women program through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services provides free mammograms and Pap tests for Missouri women ages 35 to 64 that meet income guidelines. |ret||ret||tab|

Information can be obtained by calling 573-522-2845.|ret||ret||tab|

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