(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 02, 2002 ) African-American men are more at risk than any other group for several life-threatening diseases, but there is hope for improvement. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a healthier diet can reduce the risk of many diseases that affect African-American males.

NCI will host a scientific panel August 1, at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention. NCI will also release a summary that outlines the link between diet and health in African-American men.

African-American males have the highest rates of prostate cancer, hypertension and heart disease, and are twice as likely as white men to develop diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They also have higher rates of heart disease and obesity than other groups. And, African-Americans have the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates overall, as well as the highest rates for many specific cancers.

NCI recommends that men eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day -- which can help reduce the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. However, African-American men ages 35-50 eat only 3.5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day -- and even that figure is declining. To address this alarming trend NCI has embarked on a comprehensive communications campaign to reach African-American men ages 35 to 50 years with the 5 A Day message.

For more information about cancer, please visit NCI's web site at http://cancer.gov.

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Produced for National Cancer Institute

Contact:

Jodi Bennett, 202-973-5899

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Contact Information:
National Cancer Institute
Joseph Nchor
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