Tag Archive for: cancer disparities

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The term cancer disparities refers to differences in cancer outcomes across population groups. NCI-supported research is leading to greater knowledge of the factors that drive cancer disparities and methods to address them. As recognition of cancer health disparities has grown, so have efforts to move beyond simply documenting the problem toward understanding all of its causes and developing and testing interventions to remedy it. Studies suggest that the differences observed in cancer incidence and mortality between various population groups are the result of a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and social factors.

 

Source: nci.gov

 

Cancer Disparities

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Cancer disparities across ethnicity, gender, age. SCOR

Although cancer incidence and mortality overall are declining in the United States, certain groups continue to be at increased risk of developing or dying from particular cancers. Credit: iStock

Cancer affects all population groups in the United States, but due to social, environmental, and economic disadvantages, certain groups bear a disproportionate burden of cancer compared with other groups.

Cancer disparities (sometimes called cancer health disparities) are differences in cancer measures such as:

  • incidence (new cases)
  • prevalence (all existing cases)
  • mortality (deaths)
  • survival (how long people survive after diagnosis)
  • morbidity (cancer-related health complications)
  • survivorship (including quality of life after cancer treatment)
  • financial burden of cancer or related health conditions
  • screening rates
  • stage at diagnosis

Cancer disparities can also be seen when outcomes are improving overall but the improvements are not seen in some groups relative to other groups.

Population groups that may experience these disparities include groups defined by race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, geographic location, income, education, age, sexual orientation, national origin, and/or other characteristics. Read more HERE.

 

Cancer Disparities was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

Addressing Fears about Cancer Clinical Research

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Understandably, many who are diagnosed with cancer are overwhelmed with fear for their health and for what the future may hold.  However, understanding the fears around cancer research studies can help bring modern treatment approaches to high-need, high-risk groups in their own communities. In this short video, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon, M.D, principal investigator of the Baptist Memorial Health Care/Mid-South Minority Underserved NCORP, tells about reaching out and taking the time to help one cancer patient and her family understand why a clinical trial might be the best care option.  Find more information about cancer clinical trials in your community HERE.

Source: www.ncorp.cancer.gov

Clinical Trials Balance Out Urban, Rural Cancer Survival Rates

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Although there has been substantial progress in cancer treatment, screening, diagnosis, and prevention over the past several decades, addressing cancer health disparities—such as higher cancer death rates, less frequent use of proven screening tests, and higher rates of advanced cancer diagnoses—in certain populations is an area in which progress has not kept pace.

These disparities are frequently seen in people from low-socioeconomic groups, certain racial/ethnic populations, and those who live in geographically isolated areas. Many of the same population groups that experience cancer health disparities are also significantly underrepresented in cancer clinical trials.

There has been some recent evidence of progress against cancer health disparities, including reductions in lung and prostate cancer deaths among African American men over the past decade. But researchers and public health officials agree that progress has come too slowly, and the cost of disparities—in terms of premature deaths, lost productivity, and the impact on communities—remains substantial and must be addressed.

Cancer disparities and equity research is needed to understand why some groups of people may be more or less likely to develop cancer, experience cancer-related health problems, or die from cancer than other groups of people.

The following article outlines an example of a 2018 study aimed at understanding disparities in survival rates of urban and rural patients.  >>read more

(from www.cancer.gov, www.drugs.com)

Facebook Live Dialogue on Cancer Disparities, Prevention, and Research

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Posted: April 30, 2019

During Minority Health Month on April 18, from 12 pm -1 pm EDT, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) hosted a Facebook Live event called “A Dialogue on Cancer Disparities, Prevention, and Research.”

Many factors contribute to cancer disparities or differences in cancer outcomes. Cancer can affect all populations in the United States, but some groups may bear a disproportionate burden.

The Facebook Live event featured Worta McCaskill-Stevens, MD, MS, director of the NCI Community Oncology Research Network (NCORP), Brid M. Ryan, PhD, MPH, of the NCI Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, and Christina Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPHExternal Web Site Policy, of the University of Southern California. They discussed cancer disparities and the work being done to help reduce them.

NCORPs have an important role in providing the opportunity for minorities to take part in clinical studies, with Minority/Underserved NCORP sites having an additional focus on underserved populations.

(source: NCORP.cancer.gov)