Although African-American men are seeing the fastest decline in cancer-related deaths than any other group in the United States, more black men than white men are diagnosed with the disease and die, according to a report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and written about by thegrio.com.

The report estimated that nearly 200,000 cancer deaths were averted between 2000 and 2009, mostly because African Americans cut back on smoking and, as a result, experienced lower rates of lung cancer. Despite the gains, black men are still being diagnosed with cancer 15 percent more often than white men—and they’re dying more often. What’s more, although African-American women are less likely to develop most cancers, they too are more likely to die from the illness.

The report stated that scientists are searching for the cause of these disparities and believe they’re driven more by socioeconomics than actual racial differences.

The ACS also expects to diagnose 176,620 new cancer cases among African Americans in 2013.

Last year, one study finding showed that African Americans and Latinos are far more likely than whites to develop polyps in the colon that can lead to cancer. Click here to read more.