Cancer organizations collaborate to address cancer disparities research

Representatives of the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Cancer Society, ASCO and the NCI met recently to discuss how future research can better address the disparities in health care access and outcomes that exist within many populations.

Some racial and ethnic minorities in the United States are more likely to develop cancer, less likely to access high-quality cancer care and more likely to die of cancer.

For example, the cancer death rate among black men is 33% higher than among white men. The death rate for black women is 16% higher than among white women.

Clifford A. Hudis

“We have made great progress in documenting disparities in cancer, however, we still face significant challenges in reducing their impact on outcomes,” ASCO president Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, said in a press release. “We must move from describing the problems to more quickly identifying and implementing solutions to address the racial and economic-based disparities that continue to affect many cancer patients and families in the United States. ASCO is honored to participate in this unique partnership that will ultimately help bring higher quality cancer care to all individuals.”

Disparities also affect individuals of low socioeconomic status, particularly uninsured individuals. Even with the expansion in coverage resulting from the Affordable Care Act, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 30 million individuals will still be uninsured in 2019, making accessing quality cancer care difficult for many.

“Closing the inequality gap will not happen easily, and won’t get done if any of us goes it alone,” said Otis W. Brawley, MD, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. “It will require a serious commitment, and we’re proud to join our colleagues to work together to make sure all Americans benefit from the lifesaving progress against cancer.”

Joining the society in support of the effort is its nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).

This recent collaboration brought together experts in clinical cancer research, epidemiology, public health and health care policy, as well as patient advocates, to review the state of the science, to discuss needs and priorities in cancer disparities research, and come to consensus on key recommendations. These recommendations will be used to inform the development of a joint AACR/ACS/ASCO/NCI statement that will describe the current state of cancer health disparities research and identify top research needs with a particular emphasis on funding priorities.

“Cancer mortality rates are decreasing for most minorities, but absolute death rates continue to be higher,” said Doug Lowy, MD, NCI deputy director. “It is important to understand the sources of these disparities and to study ways to reduce them. We are enthusiastic about the new partnership with ACS, AACR and ASCO, and in pursuing its goals.”

This initiative is expected to build on current research findings and provide a model for cooperation among various research groups. The participating organizations hope to reach a diverse audience, including governmental and non-governmental funders and all members of the cancer community.

“Even though great strides have been made in cancer prevention and treatment, more than 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with this terrible disease this year, and a disproportionately high burden of cancer will fall on racial and ethnic minorities, low-income and elderly populations, and the medically underserved,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD, AACR chief executive officer. “The AACR is committed to eliminating cancer health disparities through all means possible. The organization is, therefore, privileged to join this unprecedented collaboration to develop a strategy to promote cooperation among investigators in all areas of the cancer disparities research community to make sure that cancer research counts for all patients, regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic status, or the communities in which they live.”