(WSIL)---According to the American Cancer Society, the difference in deaths between white and Black Americans has decreased in the last two decades, but more Black Americans still die of cancer than any other ethnic group.
SIH's Director for Community Health, Angie Bailey, said there are many reasons contributing to these statistics.
"It's really complex. It can deal with socio economic disparities and cultural differences, as well as access to healthcare," said Bailey.
Many of these disparities can impact access to prevention care.
"Financial barriers, there may be some concern over how much a screening is going to cost. Just fear, of what this screening will be like, and also maybe access to a primary care provider," said Bailey.
The CDC reports that while Black and white women are diagnosed with breast cancer at the same rate, Black women are 40% more likely to die.
The US Office of Minority Health reports Black men are twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men.
Because of the jarring differences, prevention and screenings are considered the best ways to help improve survival rates among all ethnic groups.
"Early detection is the best prevention. So if you can detect the cancer early, usually there's a lot that we can do and to help with that. If someone waits, and maybe they felt a lump but they wait and then they're really concerned, but they're scared, it's important to just go in and find out," said Bailey.
You can find ways to get access to free breast and cervical cancer screenings through the .
