Colorectal Cancer
Colon Cancer – A Preventable Tragedy
A National Faith – Based Strategy
Chadwick Boseman by Ryan Meinerding The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) and the Colon Cancer Alliance have established a unique partnership dedicated to preventing colon cancer in the African American community.
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Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in men and women, yet the most preventable. African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the United States.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are nearly 42 million African Americans living in the country, comprising about 13 percent of the total population. Of that population, the U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group estimates that approximately 18,000 African American men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2013?and in just that same year, 6,850 of them will die from it.

Research from the American Cancer Society shows the death rates for colorectal cancer are about 45 percent higher in African Americans than in Caucasians, and although incidence and mortality rates continue to decrease in both ethnicities, the rates are still higher and declines have been slower among African Americans. The reasons for this are not yet understood.

With staggering numbers like these, education about colorectal cancer, prevention methods and screenings are imperative to saving lives. As part of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, we at National Black Church Initiative encourage you to do your part to spread the word about colon cancer prevention and to get screened.
NBCI presents Dr. Jaszianne Tolbert, MD and Dr. Justin Callaway, PhD on the 3rd lecture of the National Clinical Lecture Tour, "Getting Control of Colorectal Cancer in the Black Community". Ramona Burress, Associate Dir of Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials, Portfolio Mgt, Janssen R&D Global Development co-hosted this event.

Dr. Jaszianne Tolbert, MD Director, Oncology Clinical Development at Janssen Research and Development, LLC is a Board Certified Pediatrician and Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist with formal Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology training.

Dr. Justin Callaway, PhD Associate Scientific Director, CRC Interception at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson received his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December 2014.
The American Cancer Society recommends that everyone age 50 and older get screened for colon cancer. However, because African Americans are considered high risk for this type of cancer, some groups, like the American College of Gastroenterology, recommend that screening start at age 45.

It's important to keep in mind that the recommended age to be screened may vary depending on several factors, including family history, age, and ethnicity, among others. Make sure check with your primary care physician to determine when screening is right for you.

If you're still hesitant, check out Dr. Barry Berger's blog post from last month. He debunks some common myths about colon cancer, offering reassurance to those who are uncertain.

Links to Colon Cancer Resources

Colorectal Cancers in Black Patients Have Molecular Differences, Cleveland Research Team Discovers

Case Western Reserve University - Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Researchers at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University have identified how colorectal cancer on the molecular level is different in black Americans than in other racial and ethnic groups. The discovery could one day help identify who is at risk for the disease and need to be screened earlier and more frequently.

Colorectal Cancer I Primary Care with Dr. Lonnie Joe

Gastroenterologist, Dr. John Carethers, MD from the University of Michigan joins Dr. Joe to discuss the facts surrounding African-Americans and colorectal cancer.

NBCI President Anthony Evans and CCA CEO Eric Hargis

NBCI President Anthony Evans and CCA CEO Eric Hargis

The foundation has already been laid: more people than ever before know they need to get screened, but yet, colon cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and it shouldn't be.

Through early detection and lifesaving screening, we can fulfill our mission to knock colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers. - Eric Hargis, CEO Colon Cancer Alliance

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