The American Cancer Society has released a groundbreaking report focusing on cancer facts and figures for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, revealing significant disparities in cancer rates and outcomes among these groups.
According to the report, Asian Americans have a 40% lower overall cancer death rate compared to white people. Rebecca Siegel, one of the report’s authors, attributes this to lower smoking and obesity rates among Asian Americans, which contribute to reduced lung cancer incidence – the leading cause of cancer deaths.
However, the report highlights troubling disparities for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, who die from preventable cancers up to three times more often than white people. Cervical cancer death rates, for instance, are two-and-a-half times higher in these populations.
Siegel emphasizes the importance of examining separate ethnic groups within the Asian American community, noting that aggregating data can obscure disparities. The report breaks down statistics for various ethnicities, including Chinese, Asian Indian, Japanese, and Korean populations.
Hawaii, with nearly 60% of its population being Asian American, has the highest concentration in the United States. The report also points out that higher smoking and obesity rates among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are associated with 12 different types of cancer.
This inaugural publication aims to shed light on the diverse cancer experiences within these communities and provide a foundation for addressing health disparities. By presenting detailed ethnic-specific data, the report enables targeted interventions and improved cancer prevention and treatment strategies for these underrepresented populations.
See “New cancer report focuses on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders” (May 6, 2024)
