Published Paper Details:

Cancer health disparities as adverse differences in cancer indicators, such as the number of new cases, deaths, and cancer-related health complications that exist among certain populations, survival and quality of life after cancer treatment, screening rates, and stage at diagnosis. These exposure differences exist across races and ethnicities, socioeconomic groups, and geographic regions. The report showed that large disparities in cancer incidence and mortality rates remain between white Americans and other racial and ethnic groups. Systems and structures put in place decades ago continue to harm the health of racial and ethnic minorities. Eliminating cancer health disparities requires improving access to and utilization of health care services for all and addressing racism and structural inequities that disproportionately affect racial minorities. Cancer care programs need to be urgently evaluated and improved to prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality. This can be achieved through specialized training for clinical staff, increased research with people with disabilities, improved communication and shared decision-making with patients, and reduced physical, social and cultural barriers.