Cancer is a disease that is both deeply personal and represents national crisis at the same time.  In fact, my younger sister was diagnosed just this year with breast cancer.  Thankfully, they discovered the cancer, due to early screening and detection methods.  Her request to me was to emphasize the importance of early detection in my work in Sacramento. 

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 121 designated the week of April 20-26 as “National Multicultural Cancer Awareness Week.” It seeks to raise awareness about the crucial need for better access to cancer prevention information, as well as early detection and treatment of cancer for minorities and the medically underserved.

When certain groups of people are deprived the rewards of progress due to lack of access and education, disparities emerge. In fact, cancer disparities among ethnic populations have emerged because of numerous challenges, including language barriers, lack of insurance, socioeconomic inequities in work, income, education, housing conditions and overall standards of living. 

This resolution is more than symbolism; it is about saving lives. We know that cancers related to tobacco, poor diet and inadequate physical activity can be prevented. We also know that cancer screening can lead to early detection and increase the chances for effective treatment. However, millions of people continue to lose their lives due to several barriers, including lack of information.
We in California live in the most diverse state in the nation and should understand that these disparities do not lead to problems that affect only a few. Ethnic groups that were routinely referred to as minorities now make up more than half of our state’s population, and when members of these communities are disproportionately burdened by cancer, we are all affected.

The American Cancer Society’s research into this issue makes clear the challenges we face:

• African American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group in the nation. Lung cancer claims approximately 16,700 African Americans a year; and cancer of the colon remains the third most common cancer among African Americans.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and leading cause of death among Hispanic women.  Nearly 12,000 Hispanic men are also expected to develop prostate cancer every year. Cancer of the colon also disproportionately impacts the Hispanic community as the second leading cause of cancer death among men, and third leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women.
• Cancer is the leading cause of death for female Asian Americans, and a significant number of Korean Americans have never even heard of the Pap smear test.

Clearly, there is much work to do in reaching out to these communities. That is why this resolution’s message must continue long after the designated week is over.

Raising awareness is an ongoing challenge that we must all rise to – first by urging our loved ones, friends and colleagues to get screened, then by making appointments for ourselves, and finally addressing the systemic barriers that keep people from accessing care.

Cancer does not discriminate – and neither should our efforts in giving people every tool possible to fight the disease. 

Assemblymember Sandre Swanson (D-Oakland) is the author of this year’s Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 121.