CANCER DISPARITIES NEWS DIGEST (04.24.08)
CRCHD Announcements
Caring for Cancer Patients - In More Ways Than One
In late March, an NCI delegation led by Dr. Sanya Springfield, and including NCI director Dr. John Niederhuber, traveled to the University of Puerto Rico's Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, to learn more about plans by the university, one of our MI/CCP grantees, and the commonwealth to invest against cancer.
Caring for Cancer Patients
CHD Summit 2008 - Call For Abstracts
Abstracts for this year's CHD Summit 2008 "Eliminating Cancer Health Disparities through Research, Training, and Community," are now being accepted. All CRCHD grantees and junior investigators are encouraged to submit abstracts highlighting their scientific achievements. Deadline for submission is May 2nd.
http://www.cancermeetings.org/chdsummit08/callForAbstracts.cfm
Delegation from the Pacific Islands visits CRCHD
Recently, CRCHD was pleased to host a group of researchers from the Pacific Islands, including the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and Palau and to recognize the enormous strides they have made in reducing the cancer burden on the islands. Through leveraging a small NCI grant into considerable resources, these island researchers have been able to offer and expand cancer screening and treatment options for many on the islands.
CRCHD's Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR)-Sponsored AACR Events
At last week's AACR meeting, CRCHD, in partnership with MICR, was delighted to co-sponsor and participate in a number of exciting events showcasing the diversity and advances in cancer research. Highlighted events include the 3rd annual AACR-MICR Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship given by Dr. Arthur Gutirrez-Hartmann, the 2008 MICR Forum, which spotlighted our Minority Insitution/Cancer Center Partnership (MI/CCP) program, the MICR Professional Advancement Reception and Roundtable for young investigators from diverse backgrounds, the 2008 MSI Faculty and Minority Scholars Awards Dinner (see below), and a MICR Scientific Symposium - Health Disparities from a Biopsychosocial Approach (see NCI Grantees Spotlights). MICR is a membership group within AACR that works to prevent and cure cancer while meeting the professional needs and advancing the careers of diverse scientists.
CRCHD participates in the 11th Biennial InterCultural Cancer Council (ICC) Symposium
Participating and interacting in the Marketplace of Ideas, a new policy initiative in Eliminating Disparities in Clinical Trials (EDICT), and "Living Room Discussions" Mapping the Future of Science and Service were just a few of the session from this years ICC Biennial Symposium.
2008 Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Faculty and Minority Scholars: Awards Dinner
At this year's Awards Dinner, CRCHD, along with other MICR members, honored many of our current and former CURE grantees, among the 2008 MSI Minority Scholars, for their distinguished scientific contributions towards conquering cancer. Congratulations to All!
Cancer News from NCI, NIH, and other Federal Agencies
From NCI
Latest NCI SEER Data Report Available
2008 Seer Report found that cancer rates continue to decline across most areas with female lung cancer mortality stabilizing and female pancreatic mortality increasing. See full report at
www.seer.cancer.gov
Tobacco Control Policies: Do They Make a Difference for Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls? Executive Summary of a Report by the Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls Project
The Low Socioeconomic Status Women and Girls Project, an initiative launched by the Tobacco Research Network on Disparities (TREND), examines the effects of tobacco control policies on a diverse population of women and girls.
http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/tcrb/ses_women-girls_project/LowSES22807.pdf
New Study of Targeted Therapies for Breast Cancer Establishes Model for Global Clinical Trials
Two targeted medications designed to treat an aggressive form of breast cancer are being tested in a new study that investigators hope will provide a new model for global cancer research.
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/ALTTO
From NIH
Report: A Broken Pipeline? Flat Funding of the NIH Puts a Generation of Science at Risk
A new report released describes the toll that cumulative stagnant NIH funding is taking on the American medical research enterprise. Without consistent support in the future, the nation will lose a generation of young investigators to other careers and other countries.
http://www.brokenpipeline.org/brokenpipeline.pdf
Other Federal Agencies
Use of Colorectal Cancer Tests- United States, 2002, 2004, and 2006
Findings in this report indicate that overall use of colorectal cancer tests increased from 2002 to 2006. However, disparities persist in colorectal cancer test use.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5710.pdf
Cancer News From the Field
NCI Grantee Spotlights
Dr Claudia R. Baquet Receives Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation's Cancer Prevention Laurel Award
Dr Claudia Baquet was selected by the Prevent Cancer Foundation to receive the prestigious Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation's Cancer Prevention Laurel Award for her personal passion in improving cancer prevention and early detection practices in diverse communities.
Dr Electra Paskett Co-chairs AACR-MICR Scientific Symposium: Health Disparities from a Biopsychosocial Approach: Contributing Factors
At the recent AACR Annual Meeting, Dr Electra Paskett, PI for the PNRP Ohio Patient Navigation Program, co-chaired a stimulating symposium focused on the contributing role of epigenomics and psychosocial stress in differential health outcomes among population groups.
Enhancing Practice
Decades of Work to Reduce Disparities in Health Care Produce Limited Success
Recently published studies report that progress to reduce health disparities has been limited and current efforts are only minimally effective.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/12/1411
A Program to Enhance Completion of Screening Colonoscopy Among Urban Minorities
Study shows that use of patient navigators increases colonoscopy screening rates in urban diverse populations.
http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(07)01151-2/abstract
See Related Article
Select Disparities News Stories
Miami Hospital Makes Navigating Cancer Easier
Cancer patients, their families and caregivers should have an easier time coping with the effects of the disease through a new 'patient navigator' program at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Patient navigators are receiving training through the American Cancer Society, in collaboration with our PNRP, along with local training.
The Miami Herald
Disparities in Use of Technique for Staging Breast Cancer
Researchers found that the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy to stage breast cancer has been increasing, but minorities, older women, and those from poorer areas are less likely to get the less invasive procedure
http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/tb/8896
Funding, Training, and Employment Opportunities
Disparities-Related Funding Opportunities
Community Participation in Research (R01)
This funding opportunity announcement seeks intervention research in quasi-experimental research projects that seek to influence preventive behaviors, treatment adherences, complementary behaviors, and related attitudes and beliefs. Applications due May 25, 2008.
Elimination of Health Disparities through Translation Research (R18)
This funding opportunity announcement encourages applicants to submit research grant applications that accelerate the translation of research findings into public health practice through implementation, dissemination, and diffusion research within health disparity populations. Applications due May 25, 2008.
Cancer Education Grants Program (R25)
This funding opportunity announcement encourages applications for the development of innovative cancer education programs and cancer research dissemination projects that can be completed within 5 years. Applications due May 25, 2008
Symptom Interactions in Cancer and Immune Disorders (R01 and R21)
This funding opportunity announcement solicits grant applications from applicant organizations that propose to (a) identify and assess biobehavioral interactions among two or more related and co-occurring symptoms; (b) characterize mechanisms and pathways underlying the symptom interactions; (c) elucidate the level of interaction necessary for categorization as a symptom cluster; and/or (d) design and test interventions targeted to interacting or clustered symptoms that are hypothesized to lead to beneficial patient outcomes. Applications due June 5, 2008.
Administrative Supplements for Economic Impact Studies of Interventions for Cancer Survivors and/or their Families
The purpose of these administrative supplements is to fund the addition or inclusion in the design of the planned psychosocial and/or behavioral intervention study of information on the economic or health services impact of the intervention being delivered.
Training and Employment Opportunities
Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Ancillary Training Activities (T36)
The goal of the MARC Ancillary Training Activities Program is to provide support for the attendance and participation of individuals from underrepresented groups and/or faculty from minority serving institutions in program-related scientific conferences, short courses, or other well-defined ancillary training. Applications due September 11, 2008
PAR-08-118
Program Director, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking an outstanding scientist to serve as the first Director of the Cancer Stem Cell and Developmental Biology Program in the Center for Cancer Research (CCR). Applications must be postmarked or received by email at hooperl@mail.nih.gov by May 30, 2008. For more information visit
http://ccr.cancer.gov/default.asp
Investigator, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute
The Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) of the National Cancer Institute is calling for applications for a Tenure-Track/Tenure-Eligible Investigator. Applications should be postmarked by July 11, 2008 to: Dr. Kevin Camphausen, Chair c/o Karen Abraham Neuro-Oncology Branch Search Committee Bloch Building, MSC 8200, Room 237 9030 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20892.
Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
The Institute for Health Promotion Research seeks a tenure-track assistant or associate professor within the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Contact Dr. Amelie Ramirez at ramirezag@uthscsa.edu for more information.
Research Associate, University of Arizona
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Program at Arizona Cancer Center seeks candidates for the position of post-doctoral research associate in the field of prostate cancer epidemiology. Apply online at http://www.uacareertrack.com/
Summer Instructor, Towson University
Instructor needed to teach a 3 credit summer course providing an overview of the basic principles of biochemistry for junior/senior biology and chemistry students. Contact Dr. Richard Preisler, Chair of the Chemistry Department, Towson University at rpreisler@towson.edu
Professor of Biology, Trinity University, Washington, D.C.
Applications sought for a tenure track position at the assistant professor level in Biology beginning Fall 2008. Candidates restricted to women who are U.S. citizens or have permanent residency in the U.S.
Email:
humanresources@trinitydc.edu
Visiting Positions, St. Mary's College of Maryland
The Department of Biology at St. Mary's College of Maryland at Historic St. Mary's City invites applications for two visiting positions beginning August 2008. Applicants should have or expect to have a PhD before the starting date and postdoctoral training is preferred. Direct questions to
biosearch@smcm.edu
Visit www.smcm.edu
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Cancer, Culture & Literacy: 6th Biennial Conference
May 15 - 17, 2008
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Clearwater Beach, Florida
http://www.moffitt.org/Site.aspx?spid=D48CFB1754CF4A1CB906D298663E3FE4
Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2008
July 14 - 16, 2008
Bethesda North Marriot Hotel and Conference Center
Rockville, Maryland
http://www.cancermeetings.org/chdsummit08/callForAbstracts.cfm
The Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Cancer Survivorship Conference: Dispelling Myths, Reducing Disparities, and Providing Hope
July 22 - 24, 2008
Sheraton Gateway Hotel
San Francisco, California
www.apiahf.org
National Latino Cancer Summit
July 30 - August 1, 2008
UCSF- Conference Center at Mission Bay
San Francisco, California
https://register03.exgenex.com/gcmmaintenance/lcc/html_files/hotel.html
APHA Annual Meeting: Public Health Without Borders
October 15 - 29, 2008
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/
AACE & CPEN Annual Meeting
October 2 - 22 , 2008
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Clearwater, Florida
www.aaceonline.com
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