In 1992, an estimated 181,000 breast cancers were diagnosed, and an estimated 46,300 deaths occurred. Among women under age 65, breast cancer mortality has been decreasing among whites, but increasing among blacks. Among women 65 and older, mortality has been increasing among both whites and blacks. The incidence rate among blacks has been consistently about twice that for whites, 14.8 vs. 7.8 per 100,000 during 1985-1989. This disparity is especially evident in woman aged 65 and over with blacks experiencing nearly three times the incidence of whites during 1985-1989, 48.5 vs. 15.9 per 100,000.
Cancer tends to spread.
Cervical cancer is generally detected earlier in whites than in blacks. Only about one third of cervical cancers among blacks are detected while the disease is localized, as compared to half for whites. Thus early diagnosis is important for survival. In 1992, there were an estimated 111,000 diagnoses of colon cancer and 45,000 rectal cancers. During the same year there were an estimated 51,000 deaths from colon cancer and 7300 deaths from rectal cancer.