Cancer and Population Groups

When talking about cancer, equity is when everyone has an equal opportunity to prevent cancer, find it early, and get proper treatment and follow-up care. Different groups of people have different rates of getting and dying from certain kinds of cancer. Some groups find it harder to make healthy choices that help prevent cancer, or to get medical care.

Photo of an African American family

Compared to members of other races, Black and African American people have higher rates of getting and dying from many kinds of cancer.

A community health worker helps a Navajo woman with her medication

American Indian and Alaska Native people have been the subject of centuries of systemic racism, which have often resulted in less access to health care.

Photo of a Hispanic family

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Hispanic or Latino people in the United States. However, Hispanic people have the lowest rates of getting and dying from lung cancer.