Statistics

The number of African Americans who get pancreatic cancer is 50-90% higher than other groups in the United States. They are more likely to get diagnosed with more advanced stages of pancreatic cancer. They are also less likely to receive surgery, chemotherapy, and supportive (palliative) care.

Possible Explanations

We don’t know why rates of pancreatic cancer are higher for African Americans. Some researchers think this because of things like family history, increased rates of pancreatitis, diet, and obesity. However, these factors alone have not been able to explain why African Americans have higher rates.

One reason why African Americans receive less surgery may be that patients with low coverage or no insurance may not be recommended for surgery as often. There also may be understandable historical distrust of medical providers by African Americans.

Practical Steps and Special Issues

Despite these issues, there are actions that can be taken to make sure that African American patients receive proper care, like…

• Being an active participant and talking to doctors about treatment options
• Getting a second opinion
• Finding doctors from high quality hospitals or groups
• Seriously considering surgery if it is offered
• Asking about supportive (palliative) care options