CANCER DISPARITIES NEWS DIGEST (12.19.08)
CRCHD Announcements
Holiday Greetings!
As the holidays rapidly approach and 2008 winds to a close, we at the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) would like to wish each of you a safe and joy-filled holiday season and a peaceful, prosperous new year. We thank you for your support, dedication and efforts to eliminate cancer health disparities and look forward to continuing to work with you to advance disparities research and diversity training in the coming year.
Strong CNP Presence at this year's APHA Annual Meeting
A special note of congratulations goes to our junior investigators from AANCART and ATECAR who provided exemplary poster presentations on Hepatitis B prevalence among Asian American communities.
There were also excellent presentations from the PECaD CNP in St. Louis (Dr. Graham Colditz and his team) and MASS CONECT CNP in Boston (Drs. Howard Koh and Vish Viswanath and their team), as well as from the National Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Minnesota (Dr. Judith Kaur and her team) and the MRCN in Maryland (Dr. Claudia Baquet and her team).
View CNP Presentations at APHA
Over 300 Attend the Third Annual National Patient Navigation Training
A special thanks goes to Dr. Jerry Yates, National Vice President of Research at ACS, for recognizing the importance of fostering patient navigation training, and to Ms. Angelina Esparza, Director of the ACS Patient Navigator Program, and Dr. Beth Calhoun, Chicago PNRP co-PI, for their tireless leadership and energy in organizing the training.
Biospecimen Research Providing Opportunties for Disparities Researchers
We are pleased to let you know that there are a number of current and upcoming opportunities for disparities researchers to learn about and become involved in biospecimen research. Biospecimen research is a new and exciting area of cancer research and one in which the Center is rapidly moving to embrace and support. Active involvement among our communities and our researchers in biospecimen related activities will help to ensure that we rapidly bring these new technologies from the bench to the bedside, helping to ensure that the vision of personalized medicine reaches all our populations. Collaborating closely with the Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research (OBBR), we are pleased to draw your attention to the following special announcements in this issue:
2009 IMAT RFAsThe 2009 IMAT Request for Applications (RFAs) have been released. Application receipt dates for these RFAs are: 2/23/09, 5/27/09 and 9/30/09.
NCI Best Practices for Biospecimen ResourcesIdentifies state-of-the-art best practice standards in collecting and storing biospecimens, including sensitivity to cultural issues. This resource provides a critical first step towards establishing uniform operating procedures for tissue collection, handling, storage, and transport.
Also be sure to view the new NCI Podcast addressing patients critical role in human specimens for cancer research, and the upcoming NCI Second Annual Biospecimen Research Network (BRN) Symposium.
Critical Information for All Grantees
Immediate Changes in Electronic Research Career Development Award Programs (K Grants except K12s)
Cancer News from NCI, NIH, and other Federal Agencies
From NCI
New NCI Podcast Addresses Patients' Critical Role in Human Specimens for Cancer Research
Learn more about the role of human specimens in cancer research and how patients can make a difference from Dr. Carolyn Compton, Director of NCI's Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research, by listening to or downloading this free podcast on your iPod or MP3 player.
NCI's Second Annual Biospecimen Research Network (BRN) Symposium
Upcoming 2009 BRN Symposium: Advancing Cancer Research Through Biospecimen Science will address the significant impact of pre-analytical biospecimen variables on cancer research and molecular medicine. Interactive discussions and presentations about biospecimen quality and recent advances in biospecimen research will be featured.Registration closes February 19, 2009.
http://brnsymposium.com
Cancer Disparities: A Biological and Psychosocial Perspective
Recent research at the Chicago Centers for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD) project suggests a relationship between the study of social context and its influence on cancer and cancer disparities.
http://www.cancer.gov//ncicancerbulletin
Two New Spanish Language Education Resources
Now available to order are two new Spanish language education resources from the NCI. The first is a booklet for cancer caregivers, Cómo cuidarse mientras usted cuida a su ser querido: Apoyo para personas que cuidan a un ser querido con cáncer (How to take care of yourself while taking care of a loved one: Support for people who care for a loved one with cancer). This publication is a culturally adapted translation of the NCI booklet, Caring for the Caregiver: Support for Cancer Caregivers.
The second booklet is Control del dolor: Apoyo para las personas con cáncer (Pain Control: Support for People With Cancer), a culturally adapted translation of the English version of the NCI booklet.
Both booklets are available to order from the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4 CANCER. You may also order it online (https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs)
From NIH
OBSSR/NIH Summer Training Institute on Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions
The Institute will provide thorough grounding in the conduct of randomized clinical trials to researchers and health professionals interested in developing competence in the planning, design, and execution of randomized clinical trials involving behavioral interventions.
http://obssr.od.nih.gov
Other Federal Agencies
FDA Teams with WebMD for New Online Consumer Health Information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) collaborates with WebMD to expand consumers' access to the agency's timely and reliable important health information. This joint effort reflects the FDA's emphasis on using innovative, technology-based strategies to carry out its foremost mission, which is to promote and to protect the public health.
http://www.fda.gov
Cancer News From the Field
NCI Grantee Spotlights
ETC Health Care Program Coordinator Wins Best Published Paper Award in APHA's Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
Congratulations to Dr. Jamie Boyd, one of our junior investigators, on her award winning article, "Supports for and Barriers to Healthy Living for Native Hawaiian Young Adults Enrolled in Community Colleges." Dr. Boyd was recognized last month by the American Public Health Association. Her paper published in Preventing Chronic Disease, was part of a joint collaborative effort among some of our former Special Populations Networks (SPN) grantees that focused on adapting proven strategies for increasing physical activity for use among various racial and ethnic groups.
http://windward.hawaii.edu
National Cancer Institute Patient Navigation Research Program: Methods, Protocol, and Measures
Drs. Karen Freund, Tracy Battaglia, and Beth Calhoun, and other colleagues from our PNRP recently published the metrics, protocol and measures being used to assess the processes and outcomes of this 9-site patient navigation intervention study. If these metrics are found to be valid and reliable, they may be useful to other investigators.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com
Tumor Immunobiological Differences in Prostate Cancer between African-American and European-American Men
Dr. Tiffany Wallace's research exploring tumor biology among African American and European-American men was most recently referenced by Dr. Stefan Ambs at the December National Cancer Advisory Board meeting. She found significant differences in the expression of numerous genes associated with tumor aggressiveness between these two populations, suggesting that pathogens could be involved in race/ethnic differences that lead to the development of these tumors.
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org
Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness Research and Training (AANCART) receives National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Health Disparities Leadership Award
Congratulations to the AANCART CNP on being the recipient of the NCMHD Health Disparities Leadership Award for demonstrating commitment and achievements towards the improvement of health and the elimination of health disparities in the Asian American community. AANCART's work, led by Dr. Moon S. Chen, AANCART PI, is a testament to the importance of community collaboration in addressing the complex issue of cancer health disparities among Asian Americans.
A Call to Action
Dr. Judith Kaur, PI for the National Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives CNP, recently co-authored the most current, accurate, and comprehensive report about American Indian/Alaska Native populations and cancer. The report, "An Update on Cancer in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations, 1999-2004" is a supplement to the journal, Cancer, may hold key to significantly slowing cancer death rates in Indian country.
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/living/healthhttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com
Enhancing Practice
New Website! Colorado Patient Navigator Training Program
Dr. Liz Whitley and Ms. Patti Valverde, two of our Denver Patient Navigation Research Program (PNRP) investigators, are part of a national effort to make patient navigation a key part of the healthcare system. The Colorado Patient Navigation Training offers a full curriculum with face-to-face workshops, online courses and self-paced tutorials to build patient navigator skills and knowledge.
http://www.patientnavigatortraining.org
Communities as Partners in Cancer Clinical Trials Report
Learn about how and why the cancer clinical trial process should involve communities affected by cancer and how this involvement can improve trial design, recruitment and retention. Report created by the Education Network to Advance Cancer Clinical Trials (ENACCT) and the Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH).
http://www.communitiesaspartners.org
Select News Stories
Patient Navigator Hurdles Barriers to Care: Hospital Employee Helps Cancer Patients Process Information, Keep on Top of Treatment
Learn how one patient navigator - at the 357-bed North Shore Medical Center, Kamarauskas - is making sure that the cancer patients who come to her hospital get help steering through what can be a complicated and exhausting path to treatment.http://www.miamiherald.com/business
Next NIH Director Faces Budget Issues
Health agency has seen funding stall, and many queried say that renewed growth of NIH funding will be the top priority for an incoming director.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Treatment Options Are Many for Prostate Cancer - Some Doctors Say Many Tumors Can Be Left Untreated, Depending on Man's Age
Learn about what some medical experts say regarding the wide array of options prostate cancer diagnosed patients have at their disposal for tackling the disease. http://www.washingtonpost.com
Funding, Training, and Employment Opportunities
Disparities-Related Funding Opportunities
Take note! Immediate Changes in Electronic Research Career Development Award Programs (K Grants except K12s)
Effective with the February 12, 2009 submission date, NIH is transitioning to electronic submission of all Research Career Development Award Programs ("K"s) with the exception of K12s.NOT-OD-09-029
Prior to submitting a grant application online through Grants.gov to NIH, an applicant organization must complete a one-time registration both at Grants.gov and eRA Commons. Principal Investigators do not have to register at Grants.gov, but must register with Commons. The link below describes in a step by step fashion what needs to be done. Potential applicants need to register at least 4 weeks prior to grant submission!http://era.nih.gov/ElectronicReceipt
NCI's Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Funding Opportunities
The IMAT program now encompasses an array of 11 closely related Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs). Each FOA is segregated based on theme and type of funding mechanism. IMAT supports research projects aimed at developing creative methods and tools by which to understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.
RFA-CA-09-004
RFA-CA-09-005
RFA-CA-09-006
RFA-CA-09-007
RFA-CA-09-008
NCI's Program Project (P01) Applications
Invites applications for investigator-initiated program project (P01) grants in cancer research including (but not limited to) cancer biology, cancer treatment, cancer diagnosis, cancer prevention, and cancer control. Basic translational, clinical, and/or population-based studies are also appropriate. Ongoing letters of intent and application due dates.
PA-09-025
Collaborative Research in Integrative Cancer Biology and the Tumor Microenvironment (U01)
Encourages new collaborative projects between investigators associated with the Integrative Cancer Biology Program (ICBP) or Tumor Microenvironment Network (TMEN) and researchers who are not involved with the program. Project purpose is to propose new research and leverage existing ICBP and TMEN resources.
Application due dates: Feb. 19, 2009.
PAR-09-026
Understanding the Effects of Emerging Cellular, Molecular, and Genomic Technologies on Cancer Health Care Delivery (R01/R21)
Invites grant applications for health services research that address the utilization of emerging cellular, molecular, and genetic or genomic (CMG) technologies in cancer care. FOA encourages research on commercially available CMG clinical tools already in use and interdisciplinary collaborations between health service researchers and those in the clinical and/or translational sciences.
PA-09-004
PA-09-005
Small Grants for Behavioral Research in Cancer Control (R03)
Supports either new investigators in cancer-related behavioral research, or investigators who want to refocus their research interests toward behavioral research in cancer control. The program is designed to facilitate the growth of a nationwide cohort of scientists with research experience in behavioral cancer control and design of public health interventions.
PAR-09-003
Reaching Out to Potential Users on Non-Grant Shared Resources of NCI for Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD)
DCTD supports the process of drug discovery and development of anticancer therapeutics by providing unique resources to qualified extramural researchers. Resources include the Rapid Access to NCI Discovery Resources (RAND), NCI DCTD Experimental Therapeutics (NExT), and more.
NOT-CA-09-001
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grants (T35)
This T35 is for eligible institutions to develop or enhance research training opportunities for individual students, pre-doctorates and post-doctorates interested in careers in biomedical, behavioral and clinical research. Expires: September 8, 2011.
PA-08-227
Training and Employment Opportunities
Deputy Director, NCI's Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities
NCI's CRCHD has a position open for Deputy Director to help lead NCI/CRCHD's efforts to reduce the unequal burden of cancer and train the next generation of competitive researchers in cancer and cancer health disparities research. Closing date is January 23, 2009.
Job Announcement Number: NCI-09-306616-DE
Program Coordinator for the Geographic Management (GMaP) of Cancer and Cancer Health Disparities Program
A GMaP program coordinator is sought for the Washington metropolitan region, Maryland and Virginia. The successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the GMaP Region 1 project including: coordinating all project phases, conducting a needs assessment, meeting, organizing, and authoring reports.
For more information, please contact Dr. Peter Shields, Deputy Director, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University at pgs2@georgetown.edu.
Post-Doc to Assist with Project on Radiation Therapy Following Breast-Conserving Surgery in Low-Income Women
The University of Maryland's Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine is looking for a post-doc for an American Cancer Society Grant. The post-doc will work on various aspects of the four-year study including addressing a gap in compliance with primary treatment by conducting two sub-studies. Please contact Dr. Renee Royak-Schaler, the principal investigator, for more information at: 410-706-1049 or rroyak@som.umaryland.edu.
Director, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Seeks a senior leader to serve as Director of the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center (UPRCCC). Director will serve as the Chief medical and academic Center officer. Director will have overall operating responsibility for the research, education, and clinical programs of the Center. The Director will direct and manage center operations, provide leadership, coordination, management, and research guidance to the center's staff. Director will be responsible for recruitments in accordance with the roadmap developed for the UPRCCC.
For more information, contact Guillermo Tortolero-Luna, Search Committee Chair at gtortolero@rcm.upr.edu or 787-772-8300 ext. 232, 231.
Basic Science Research Faculty at the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Seeks applicants for the Basic Science Research Faculty positions. Special consideration will be given to candidates with expertise in molecular biology or genetic research related to cancer, clinical, and translational science and with a current or past record of grant funding. Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. required. Interested candidates must qualify for appointment to the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine faculty. Rank and salary are commensurate with training, experience and grant funding. Qualified individuals should send a cover letter; curriculum vitae, and letter of inquiry to: Jorge Sanchez MD, Executive Director, University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, PMB 711, 89 de Diego Ave. Suite 105, San Juan, PR 00927-6326.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Second AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities
February 6-9, 2009
Carefree Resort and Villas
Carefree, AZ
Advance Registration Deadline Extended to: Friday, January 9, 2009
http://www.aacr.org
Office of Minority Health 3rd National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health.
February 25-27, 2009
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, MD
Registration closes: February 2, 2009
http://www.omhrc.gov/npasummit2009/
NCI's Second Annual Biospecimen Research Network (BRN) Symposium
March 16-18, 2009
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Bethesda, MD
Abstract Submission Deadline: February 9, 2009
Registration closes: February 17, 2009
http://www.brnsymposium.com
AACR Annual Meeting
April 18-22, 2009
Colorado Convention Center
Denver, CO
"Early Bird" Registration Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2009
http://www.aacr.org
Cancer Health Disparities Conference: Building Bridges to Improve Rural Health
May 27-29, 2009
Hotel Encanto
Las Cruces, NM
Information regarding program and deadlines will be posed in January 2009
http://cancer.nmsu.edu/conference.shtml
OBSSR/NIH Summer Training Institute on: Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions
July 12-24, 2009
Airlie Conference Center
Warrenton, VA
Application due by: January 5, 2009
http://obssr.od.nih.gov