I recently heard a philosopher say, "As long as you are healthy, you have thousands of problems. But the moment your body gets sick, you have one problem." The message is clear: health is wealth. When we lose it, nothing else matters until we recover. Maintaining good health is challenging, especially as we age, face environmental hazards, natural wear and tear, and the cumulative effects of our lifestyle choices. Reaching our 70s and 80s requires us to navigate a gauntlet of risks, one of which is cancer.

Cancer has been the second leading cause of death in the U.S. for decades, accounting for over 600,000 deaths annually, second only to heart disease. Four out of ten people will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, with the American Cancer Society estimating a lifetime risk of 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 for women. The risk of dying from cancer is 1 in 5 for men and 1 in 6 for women. Many of us know someone affected; for me, it was my grandmother, who died of colorectal cancer in her early 70s, and my uncle, who succumbed to stomach cancer months ago at 80.

Seniors are disproportionately affected by cancer. While we may more easily accept the loss of seniors in later life, a cancer diagnosis at a younger age raises tough questions: Why them? Why now? What could we have done differently? These questions resonate as I support a loved one recently diagnosed with breast cancer and a high school classmate, Deron, a nonsmoker, who is currently in the ICU awaiting a double lung transplant for stage 4 lung cancer, both in their 50s.

Although overall cancer rates have decreased in all populations by more than 25% over the past few decades, these gains have not been shared equally. The impact of cancer remains disproportionately high among people of color. For example, Black men have the highest rates of new cancer diagnoses and deaths, particularly from lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers. While non-Hispanic White women report the highest rates of new diagnoses, Black women face the highest death rates, with lung, breast, and colorectal cancers being the leading causes of mortality.

President Biden's Cancer Moonshot program, initially launched in 2016 and revitalized in 2022, aims to accelerate cancer research and improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Intending to reduce cancer deaths by at least 50% by 2047, the initiative focuses on closing screening gaps, addressing environmental exposures, decreasing preventable cancers, and supporting patients and caregivers. Although it’s too early to evaluate the program's long-term impact, initial funding increases for cancer research are promising, especially considering recent disruptions in federal grants.

The program emphasizes collaboration, raising awareness of cancer disparities, and promoting equity, which are essential for making meaningful advancements in cancer care. To truly "end cancer as we know it," we must address the disproportionate burden on Black, minority, and low-income populations. These disparities often arise from challenges in health literacy, access to screenings and interventions, and the prevalence of preventable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.

For instance, gaps in age-appropriate cancer screenings are linked to financial and geographic access to culturally relevant healthcare services. Tobacco remains the most significant environmental risk factor for cancer, with American Indian/Alaska Natives and Black individuals having the highest smoking rates at 14%. If there were equitable access to smoking cessation programs, we could significantly improve survival rates for tobacco-related cancers, including lung, colon, and bladder cancer.

Obesity is a major factor in numerous cancers, including breast, prostate, and kidney cancers. Yet, obesity affects 50% of Black adults. If weight loss, exercise, and access to healthy food programs were widely available and affordable, imagine the number of cancers we could prevent. This approach is vital, particularly as our government considers reducing access to essential programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

To effectively reduce cancer incidence and deaths, targeted campaigns promoting prevention, early detection, and access to treatments for high-risk groups are essential. Addressing historical health inequities, exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic by healthcare facility closures and treatment delays, is critical, as these factors have led to an increase in late-stage cancer diagnoses.

Translating cancer research into practical solutions requires making it accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. Our nation can achieve the best return on investment by providing culturally appropriate cancer education and ensuring universal access to primary and secondary prevention strategies, including healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation programs, and government-subsidized health screenings.

I share President Biden’s enthusiasm for the Cancer Moonshot initiative and hope for more targeted investments and sustained commitment to proven strategies. Despite billions allocated for cancer research and an additional $1 billion pledged to the initiative, new therapies and medications remain out of reach for many, especially those who need them most. In our pursuit of this moonshot, let's remain grounded in this fundamental principle: an ounce of prevention is still more effective than a pound of cure.