Cancer can affect anyone, but it does not affect everyone equally. There are populations that bear a disproportionate burden of cancer because they lack the same opportunities as others to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer due to who they are or where they were born.
In the US, Black people face worse cancer outcomes compared to most racial or ethnic groups. However, only a small fraction of the racial differences in cancer deaths can be attributed to genetic differences. This can often be explained by health disparities, such as education gaps, and barriers to accessing high-quality and timely cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. These gaps and systemic barriers to cancer care are deeply rooted, complex, and long-standing at all levels of society.
As a leader in oncology, Novartis is taking steps to address these persistent disparities in the way health care is approached, accessed and delivered.
For the third year running, Novartis is sponsoring the American Cancer Society’s Get Screened campaign in an effort to dramatically increase screening rates, especially for those most at risk. This year we are focusing on bringing the message of the Get Screened campaign to the Black community.
Education and awareness around cancer play a fundamental part of closing gaps and addressing these barriers. Cancer can be treatable. The more people know about their health, the better- informed they are to take action. Regular cancer screenings can provide vital information about health and early diagnosis is one of the most significant factors in successful treatment.
Black people historically have lower rates of cancer screening, despite having a higher mortality rate than other racial or ethnic groups. In 2022, about 224,080 new cancer cases and 73,680 cancer deaths are estimated to have occurred among Black people.
Through stories of Black cancer survivors and advocates, as well as clinical and population health experts, Novartis and the American Cancer Society are encouraging young Black people to think about how they can make an impact in their community – setting the example by pursuing regular screening tests for themselves, and supporting friends, family, and loved ones to do the same. Through this initiative, we strive to help these future community leaders address the societal impact of cancer through education and awareness.
Follow along on Novartis Oncology LinkedIn, Novartis Cancer Twitter, and Novartis Cancer Facebook as we share more about this initiative, and check out more of our content on Blavity.com, including the top things Black people in the US should know when it comes to cancer screening and prevention, and how to get started talking to a doctor about a screening plan that is right for them.