It’s minority Cancer Awareness Week, and though Iowa has a relatively low proportion of minority citizens, their numbers are growing. Meg Neary with Iowa’s chapter of the American Cancer Society says their outlook is grim.African-Americans tend to be more often diagnosed with all kinds of cancer, especially colorectal and prostate, and have the highest death rate from cancer. Black Iowans aren’t the only ones with a higher risk, though. Cancer’s been the number-one killer of Asian-American women since 1980, and cervical cancer kills five times more Vietnamese than white women. Neary says the numbers are finally showing a decrease.The Society hopes to see the unequal burden lessened for minority and “medically under-served” groups of people. People with questions can call the Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or go online at www.cancer-dot-org.
