(Cox News Service) -- Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson promoted a campaign Thursday aimed at increasing early detection of cancers that disproportionately affect African Americans and other minorities.

Thompson was joined during National Minority Cancer Awareness Week by some of the nation's top cancer researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society, along with urban radio personality Tom Joyner.

The educational campaign, dubbed "Closing the Health Gap," begun last year to bring health messages to blacks, will be expanded this year to include others, including Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, Pacific Islanders and Alaska Natives.

Thompson, speaking at a church in Washington founded by seven freed slaves in 1866, cited numerous health problems that plague African Americans and other minorities: In 2000, cancer was the second-leading cause of death among blacks, Hispanics and American Indians; invasive cervical cancer rates were twice as high among Hispanic women; and blacks had twice the average death rate from prostate cancer. He also noted that other health problems, including obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, widely affect minorities.

"In our first two years at the Department of Health and Human Services, we've made this a real cause," Thompson said. "We've made some tremendous progress in our efforts to improve the health and the safety and well-being of minorities. But we must re-focus our efforts to improve awareness and prevention in at-risk minority communities."

The campaign includes a variety of radio and television ads -- at least one of which is in Spanish -- encouraging minorities to be screened for colorectal cancer.

Nancy Lee, director of the CDC's Cancer Prevention and Control Division, said the federal agency has launched a Web site (www.cancercontrolplanet.com) designed as an information clearinghouse for developing programs designed to reduce cancer. Another campaign, "Screen For Life," encourages men and women aged 50 and older to get colorectal cancer screenings.

Lee said researchers don't fully understand why certain cancers strike blacks and minorities with more frequency. But some lifestyle and cultural factors, including a poor diet and lack of exercise and access to quality health care, are factors. Lee noted, however, that some cancers are more prevalent among whites, including breast cancer among women.

Joyner, a Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster whose program is nationally syndicated, is promoting the "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" on Sept. 16, which encourages people to take friends, relatives and neighbors to the doctor for checkups.

Joyner noted recent illnesses or deaths of black entertainers, including singers Luther Vandross and Barry White, and actress Nell Carter. Joyner noted the three were older than 50 and overweight, risk factors for certain kinds of cancer and other illnesses.

"These people just happen to be famous," Joyner said. "But their situation is common in the African-American community."

Copyright 2003 Cox News Service. All rights reserved.