Disparities in Cancer Care

A renewed focus on dismantling the barriers and closing gaps in care will aid in the mission to drive down the rate of cancer mortality and incidence across disease states.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has partnered with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the National Minority Quality Forum to launch the new Health Equity Report Card pilot program to address structural and interpersonal bigotry that results in disparities in cancer care and outcomes.

Daniel King, MD, PhD, discusses the results of an institutional review evaluating socioeconomic factors associated with disparities for germline genetic testing in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, why germline testing is necessary for thi population, and how he is addressing gaps in germline testing in his own practice.

The risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma appears to increase with subsequent generations for Americans of Mexican descent, according to findings from a study of US-born Hispanics/Latinos living in Los Angeles, California.

Results from a study of 318,549 Medicare beneficiaries with poor-prognosis cancers showed than Black and Hispanic patients were substantially less likely to receive any opioids or long-acting opioids than White patients at the end of life.

Bridget A. Oppong, MD, discussed the importance of recognizing and addressing gaps in outcomes between patients with breast cancer in different racial groups. She also addressed the need for better advocacy for Black patients and advocated for improved screening guidelines to close the gap in racial disparities in breast cancer care.

Pei-Ling Chen, MD, PhD, discusses epidemiology and racial disparities in CTCL.

R. Lor Randall, MD, FACS, discusses how disparities may lead to worse outcomes for patients diagnosed with head and neck cutaneous soft tissue sarcomas.

Adana A.M. Llanos, PhD, MPH, discusses disparities in genetic research in cancer care.

Oncology fellows at the University of North Carolina turned their despair over the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor into an effort to improve racial equity.

Data from a recent analysis revealed that nearly 1 in 7 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma experience treatment delays, with higher odds observed in Black patients and those living in high poverty neighborhoods.

Lena Winestone, MD, discusses disparities with diagnosis in pediatric leukemia.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has named Sophia George, PhD, the inaugural associate director of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian patients with cancer are significantly more likely to experience delays in receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Julian Schink, MD, discusses a study evaluating racial differences in the mutational landscape of serous endometrial cancer, underscores the need for appropriate genomic testing and treatment for Black women with the disease, and explains the importance of racial representation across clinical trials.

The National Cancer Institute-designated Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center has partnered with the Price Family Foundation to fund 8 research teams developing novel cancer therapies and improving cancer outcomes for historically marginalized communities in the Bronx.

National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers routinely perform clinical trial site self-assessments. However, participation in these types of assessments is far less commonplace among community oncology sites.

Carrie Horton, MS, CGC, discusses how the findings from a retrospective analysis of germline testing rates among racially diverse groups of men with prostate cancer will guide future research and influence the steps community oncologists can take to increase testing rates.

Carrie Horton, MS, CGC, discusses the importance of addressing the equity gap of genetic testing in cancer care.

Narjust Florez (Duma), MD, discusses the alarming regularity of disparities in lung cancer care, the elements that perpetuate them, and ways to address them on an individual and institutional level.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Association of Community Cancer Centers have issued a joint statement outlining 6 recommendations for boosting participation among underserved communities.

Undocumented immigrants continue to face discriminatory policies, which affect those with cancer on emotional, financial, physical, and social levels.

Pierluigi Porcu, MD, discusses the need for diverse representation in clinical trials.

Despite receiving similar treatment, Black patients between the ages of 18 and 29 years with acute myeloid leukemia were twice as likely to die within 5 years compared with Whites.

Judith Karp, MD; Azra Raza, MD; and Michelle M. Le Beau, PhD, highlight the decades-long evolution of the leukemia field and express challenges such as defining the causes of leukemia and developing therapies to treat the disease and mitigate adverse effects like bone pain.

Suneel Kamath, MD, discusses the importance of including underrepresented patient populations in clinical trials.

The US Preventive Services Task Force updated its lung cancer screening guidelines in 2021 to include more members of vulnerable populations, including African Americans, women, and the LGBTQ community.

Suneel Kamath, MD, discusses the findings from research he conducted evaluating the effect of financial and racial disparities on cancer incidence and mortality.

Adana A.M. Llanos, PhD, MPH, discusses how to recognize social determinants of disparities in cancer care.

Black patients were less likely to be included in clinical trials that investigate newer treatments for metastatic breast cancer, despite having the highest death rate and shortest survival outcomes when compared with other racial and ethnic groups in the United States.