NHA is Fighting to Reduce Cancer Death in the Black Community |

Across the country and in Ohio, African Americans are less likely to seek and receive cancer screenings and treatments. Mortality rates were more than two times higher among Black Ohioans than White Ohioans for multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer.

To address the problem in Lucas County, NHA has partnered with The Toledo Clinic to improve access to screenings and treatment so that all NHA patients have access to the cancer treatment and medications they need.

“Know that there are many resources here at Nexus and in our very own community to help you,’ said Danielle Goodell CNP with Toledo Clinic Cancer Centers, NHA’s partner in cancer treatment. “Many of the resources are not well known or talked about until they are needed. We will work with your insurance and pharmacy as well as other resources to get you the help you need.”

According to the CDC, Black and African American people have higher rates of getting and dying from many kinds of cancer.

Black people have the highest death rate for cancer overall.
Black people have a lower overall 5-year cancer survival rate than White people.
Black people are more likely than White people to be diagnosed with female breast, lung, and colorectal cancers at a late stage. Cancer is harder to treat after it spreads from the place where it started to other parts of the body.

The American Lung Association also points out that Black individuals in Ohio are least likely to receive surgical treatment.
Black Ohioans had higher mortality rates than White Ohioans for 10 out of 23 cancer sites/types in 2020 for which rates could be calculated.
According to Ohio Annual Cancer Report for 2023, the incidence rate for lung and bronchus cancer was highest among Black people (59.4 per 100,000), compared with White people (57.5 per 100,000) and Asians/Pacific Islanders (24.6 per 100,000).
the prostate cancer incidence rate was 1.4 times higher among Black men (150.1
per 100,000) than White men (107.5 per 100,000) in Ohio.

You can take active control in changing these trends. You can 1) Get screened for cancer and 2) Make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of cancer.

Cancer screening is key to catching cancer early

While reducing your risk of cancer is important, proper access to cancer screenings is a major factor in increasing survival rates.

Screening tests can prevent some cancers or find them early, when treatment works best.

According to the American Lung Association State of Lung Cancer 2023, “For screening to be most effective in reducing the overall lung cancer mortality rate, more of the high-risk population should be screened – currently screening rates are very low among those at high risk. This may be because of a lack of access or low awareness and knowledge among patients and providers.”

Goodell added, “Your primary care provider can order screenings individualized for you, which may include: mammograms, low dose CT screening of the chest, Cologuard or colonoscopy, referral to gynecology for PAP smear, and PSA blood test for males, blood tests, as well as a referral to a genetic counselor if indicated.”

She also added, “Do not forget that going to the dentist is a screening too!”

NHA can help those who have already been diagnosed with cancer as well. But, Goodell stresses that time is of the essence. “Do not delay! Make an appointment or come for a walk-in appointment immediately! The sooner you face the issue the sooner we can help you to find a solution.”

How can you take steps to reduce your cancer risk?

You can take steps to reduce your risk of getting cancer. Staying away from tobacco smoke, keeping a healthy weight, drinking little or no alcohol, and getting human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations on time can lower the risk of getting cancer.

Some of these risk factors vary by race and ethnicity.

More Black men than White men say they smoke cigarettes now.
Black Americans are more likely than other groups to be exposed to smoke from other people’s cigarettes, called secondhand smoke.
Obesity is most prevalent among non-Hispanic Black adults.
Overall, Black adults are less likely than non-Hispanic White adults to be vaccinated against HPV. HPV vaccines help prevent several kinds of cancer.

To help you know the 10 best ways you can take action to reduce your cancer risk, Harvard Health Provides the 10 Commandments of Cancer Prevention. You can start reducing your risk today!

This post was originally published as part of a series for Black history Month.