The number of people dying from colon cancer has gone down, but a gap still exists between African American and white patients. Researchers at the American Cancer Society found African Americans were 45 percent more likely to die from the disease. This is up five percent from the last study done in 2001. Experts say reduced access to care and preventative tests are the primary reasons for the disparity. Colon cancer is the third deadliest cancer in the United States.