From 1999 to 2020, esophageal cancer deaths among Black adults showed a significant decrease while remaining stable among White adults. This trend narrowed the racial mortality gap, as revealed by a recent study published on July 24 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The study, led by Dr. Chun-Wei Pan from John H. Stroger, Jr., Hospital of Cook County in Chicago, used data from CDC-WONDER to examine esophageal cancer mortality trends in the United States over 21 years. A total of 303,267 deaths from esophageal cancer were identified, highlighting notable racial disparities.
Among Black adults, the age-adjusted mortality rate decreased dramatically from 6.52 to 2.62 per 100,000, while the rate among White adults remained relatively unchanged, going from 4.19 to 3.97 per 100,000. This decline in deaths among Black adults was more pronounced in women, where the rate dropped from 3.31 to 2.29 per 100,000. In contrast, White women saw an increase in their mortality rate from 1.52 to 1.99 per 100,000. Among young men, Black males experienced a sharp decline from 12.82 to 6.26 per 100,000, while White males saw a slight increase from 9.90 to 10.57 per 100,000.
Regional trends also showed changes. Initially, Black adults in the Midwest and South had higher mortality rates compared to Whites, but this gap decreased over time. By 2020, mortality rates for Black men were lower across all regions.
Esophageal cancer affects the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Common symptoms include difficulty swallowing, weight loss, chest pain, and persistent cough. Causes often include smoking, heavy alcohol use, acid reflux, and a diet low in fruits and vegetables. Treatments for esophageal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. In addition to these, alternative treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and dietary changes are sometimes used to help manage symptoms.
Key Insights:
- Significant reduction in esophageal cancer deaths among Black adults from 1999 to 2020.
- Stabilized mortality rates among White adults during the same period.
- Narrowing racial mortality gap due to the decline in Black adults’ mortality rates.
- Regional disparities reduced over time, with Black men having lower mortality rates by 2020.
- Suggested interventions include targeted screening, increased access to endoscopic treatments, research investment, and public health efforts to address risk factors like obesity.
Source: Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.