Jeffrey Campbell, aka the Educated Rapper, along with the Kangol Kid, Doctor Ice, and Mix Master Ice formed the legendary hip-hop group U.T.F.O. in the 1980s and banged out the now classic hit, "Roxanne, Roxanne." It's listed as one of the greatest songs in hip-hop history.
Now, U.T.F.O. legend Kangol Kid is in the fight of his life after receiving a Stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis in February. As Kangol explained in a recent Instagram post, his situation has grown increasingly dire over the last few months. On Wednesday (October 27), Kangol revealed he’d been hospitalized and would undergo surgery the following day.
“Please forgive me for not returning calls and more,” he wrote. “Things have become, and are becoming a little more difficult than imagined. I’ve been admitted again for complications related to my condition. Thank you to those who have been instrumental in my latest ordeal. Your actions have been well received and greatly appreciated. I am blessed to have you by my side through this. I love you all. ~Kang. #kangolkid #kangol #utfo #roxanneroxanne #fuckcancer.”
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He also posted a picture of the fluid that had to be drained from his stomach due to the disease.
"Just one of the many phases I have to go through as they prepare me for the fight of my life," he wrote. "Continue to pray for me to become more relentless than this cancer. Thank you friends, family, fans and followers."
Veteran New York City Hip Hop promoter Van Silk, who’s in the middle of his own colon cancer battle, is calling for prayers.
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“Wishing my brother Kangol beat this disease, as one myself dealing with colon cancer but Stage 2,” he tells HipHopDX. “Everyone, please support my brother Kangol Kid from UTFO who is actually battling colon cancer at Stage 4. I could imagine what he going through. Sending my #Prayers.”
Silk's and other stories prove Kangol is not alone in his cancer fight.
With the passing of Chadwick Boseman, the talented actor best known for his portrayal of the superhero Black Panther at the age of 43, it came as a surprise and shock to many. It made it all too real for a seemingly healthy, relatively young man like Boseman to die from colorectal cancer.
But while colorectal cancer isn’t as common in people under the age of 50 as it is in older people, it’s not as uncommon as many people might think. In 2020, about 12% of colorectal cancers – about 18,000 cases – will be diagnosed in people under the age of 50 in the US. What’s more, while rates of colorectal cancer have been falling in older age groups in recent years, they’ve actually been rising among younger people.
Colon Cancer Risk is higher in African Americans
Colorectal cancer also disproportionately affects the Black community, where the rates are the highest of any racial/ethnic group in the US. African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.
The reasons for the differences are complex, but they largely reflect differences in risk factors and in health care access, both of which are related to socioeconomic status. In fact, African Americans are disproportionately burdened by cancer in general. They often experience greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival, including systemic racial disparities that are complex and go beyond the obvious connection to cancer. These obstacles can include lower paying jobs and lack of (or less comprehensive) health insurance, lack of access to healthy and affordable foods, low-quality education and housing, and unsafe environments.
"Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the country," said Durado Brooks, M.D. vice president of prevention and early detection at the American Cancer Society. "This disease is ravaging the Black community, and it is as important as ever that everyone has access to and is receiving the recommended screenings. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, necessary screening tests remain available to prevent the disease or find it at an early, more treatable stage."
Parts of Stage 4 Colon Cancer
There are three parts of the Stage 4 Colon Cancer Kangol is in right now.
- Stage 4A: The cancer has reached one area or organ that isn’t near the colon or rectum (such as the liver, lung, ovary or a faraway lymph node).
- Stage 4B: The cancer has reached more than one area or organ that isn’t near the colon or rectum.
- Stage 4C: The cancer has spread to distant parts of the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and may have reached other areas or organs.
"Please forgive me for not returning calls and more. Things have become, and are becoming a little more difficult than imagined. I've been admitted again for complications related to my condition. Thank you to those who have been instrumental in my latest ordeal. Your actions have been well received and greatly appreciated. I am blessed to have you by my side through this. I love you all."
