Toward the Elimination of Colorectal Cancer Disparities Among African Americans.
In the USA, race and socioeconomic status are well-known factors associated with colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates. These are higher among blacks than whites and other racial/ethnic groups.



In this article, we review opportunities to address disparities in colorectal cancer incidence, mortality, and survivorship among African Americans.



First, we summarize the primary prevention of colorectal cancer and recent advances in the early detection of the disease and disparities in screening. Then, we consider black-white disparities in colorectal cancer treatment and survival including factors that may contribute to such disparities and the important roles played by cultural competency, patient trust in one's physician, and health literacy in addressing colorectal cancer disparities, including the need for studies involving the use of colorectal cancer patient navigators who are culturally competent.



To reduce these disparities, intervention efforts should focus on providing high-quality screening and treatment for colorectal cancer and on educating African Americans about the value of diet, weight control, screening, and treatment. Organized approaches for delivering colorectal cancer screening should be accompanied by programs and policies that provide access to diagnostic follow-up and treatment for underserved populations.
Department of Community Health and Sustainability, Division of Public Health, University of Massachusetts, One University Avenue, Kitson Hall 311A, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA. steven_coughlin@uml.edu.
Steven S
SS
Coughlin
Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Daniel S
DS
Blumenthal
Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Nu Chi Chapter, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Shirley Jordan
SJ
Seay
Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.|Institute of Public and Preventive Health, and Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA.
Selina A
SA
Smith
D001741:Black or African American; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005006:Ethnicity; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States; D044465:White People
African Americans; Cancer survivorship; Colorectal cancer; Health status disparities; Prevention; Screening