CANCER (KAN-ser): A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for most racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. For Asians and Pacific Islanders, it is the number one killer. In 2003, 62,660 African Americans, 24,070 Hispanics, 10,532 Asians and Pacific Islanders and 2,154 American Indians died of the disease.

Cancer hits African Americans particularly hard: the group is 21% more likely to die from all types of cancer than Whites, adjusting for age. African American men are over twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than Whites. And while breast cancer is diagnosed 10% less frequently in African American women than White women, African American women are 36% more likely to die from the disease.

In other minority communities, cancer is also taking a disproportionate toll. Among Hispanics, women are 2.2 times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White women. Asian and Pacific Islander women are 2.7 times as likely to fall ill from stomach cancer as non-Hispanic White women. And Asian American men suffer from stomach cancer twice as often as non-Hispanic White men.

Breast Cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2007:
New cases: 178,480 (female); 2,030 (male)
Deaths: 40,460 (female); 450 (male)
For more info, please click here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast, http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/breastcancer/bc.cfm. To learn how to do a self examination, please click here http://aitlvideo.uc.edu/bcan/bse.htm

Prostate Cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

Estimated new cases and deaths from prostate cancer in the United States in 2007:
New cases: 218,890
Deaths: 27,050
For more info, please click here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate, http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/aahealth/aaprostate.cfm

Lung Cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.

Estimated new cases and deaths from lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell combined) in the United States in 2007:
New cases: 213,380
Deaths: 160,390
For more info, please click here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung

Colon Cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine). Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas (cancers that begin in cells that make and release mucus and other fluids).

Rectal Cancer: Cancer that forms in the tissues of the rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine before the anus).

Estimated new cases and deaths from colon and rectal cancer in the United States in 2007:
New cases: 112,340 (colon); 41,420 (rectal)
Deaths: 52,180 (colon and rectal combined)
For more info, please click here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal, http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/aahealth/coloncaafricanamer.cfm, http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/colorectal/africanamericancolorectal.cfm

Kidney Cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and renal pelvis carcinoma (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms' tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.

Estimated new cases and deaths from kidney (renal cell and renal pelvis) cancer in the United States in 2007:
New cases: 51,190
Deaths: 12,890
For more info click, please click here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/kidney

Quick Facts

Although breast cancer is diagnosed 10% less frequently in African American women than White women, African American women are 33% more likely to die from the disease.
American Indian Women are 1.9 times as likely to die from cervical cancer as compared to white women.
Asian/Pacific Islander men and women have higher incidence and mortality rates for stomach and liver cancer.
In 2003, Hispanic women are 2.2 times as likely as non-Hispanic white women to be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

For more info please click here http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=2826