CANCER DISPARITIES NEWS DIGEST (08.15.07)
CRCHD Announcements
New CRCHD
The reorganization of the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) was formally approved on June 2007. As part of the reorganization, the Diversity Training Branch (DTB) (formerly NCI's Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Branch) joined with the Disparities Research Branch (DRB), allowing for NCI's diversity training activities to link with NCI's cancer health disparities research portfolio in basic, clinical, translational and community-based participatory research.
A Conversation with...Dr. Sanya Springfield
In the latest issue of the NCI Cancer Bulletin, Dr. Springfield, director of the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, discusses why she thinks cancer health disparities is getting greater attention these days in the research community, some of the key initiatives of CRCHD, why the Cancer Health Disparities Summit is important, and what this year's summit achieved.
NCI and AACR Co-Sponsor “The Science of Cancer Health Disparities”
This historic conference, jointly sponsored by NCI and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), will feature the latest findings in cancer health disparities research across many disciplines - genetics, cell biology, epidemiology, prevention, behavioral science, and clinical medicine. Scheduled for November 27-30, 2007 in Atlanta, GA.
http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/cancer-health-disparities.aspx
Cancer News from NCI, NIH, and other Federal Agencies
From NCI
Director's Update: Tackling Cancer Care Disparities in the Community
A key part of the mission of the recently launched NCI Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) (http://ncccp.cancer.gov/About/index.htm) is to research new and enhanced ways to assist, educate, and better treat the needs of underserved populations.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_072407/page3
See Related Article
From NIH
NCRR Launches National Network to Connect Investigators Based at Minority Institutions
The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced today it will initially provide $9.5 million over three years to launch a Translational Research Network that will increase the opportunity for multi-site clinical and translational research among minority and other collaborating institutions throughout the nation.
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jul2007/ncrr-24.htm
Other Federal Agencies
Report Finds Lower Cancer Rates Among Latinos
The "Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975-2003" finds that from 1999 to 2003, Latinos had lower incidence rates than non-Hispanic whites (NHW) for most cancers, but were less likely than the NHW population to be diagnosed with localized stage disease for cancers of the lung, colon and rectum, prostate, female breast, and cervix.
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/healthdisparities/basic_info/arn.htm
Cancer News From the Field
NCI Grantee Spotlights
Veena N. Rao to receive Research Leadership Award
Dr. Veena N. Rao, professor and co-director of the Morehouse School of Medicine at the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence in Atlanta and a research project leader for a NCI MI/CCP U54 grant, has been selected to receive an award for Research and Leadership at the 12th Annual National Women of Color Technology Awards Conference, to be held on November 3, 2007 in Atlanta, GA.
http://www.womenofcolor.net/v2/index.php
Cancer Prevention Starts at Home (with a Party)
In Washington State, researchers are sponsoring "home health parties" to raise awareness about cancer and encourage people to take advantage of free screenings. The goal is to reduce health disparities among underserved populations. "We think of these as Tupperware parties without the sale," says Dr. Beti Thompson of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and principal investigator of the Hispanic Community Network to Reduce Cancer Disparities.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_072407/page6
Cancer Hits US Asian Groups Differently
Cancer affects Asian Americans in different ways than it does other racial and ethnic groups in the US. A new American Cancer Society report by Dr. Moon Chen, Professor of Hematology and Oncology and Principal Investigator for the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness Research and Training (AANCART), at UC Davis Cancer Center provides details of cancer patterns in this population-and shows great variations based on country of origin.
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/57/4/190
See Related Article
- Researchers Find Distinctive Patterns of Cancer in 5 Groups of Asian-Americans
- Asian Ethnic Groups Experience Different Risks for Certain Cancers, Diseases, Study Finds
- Western diet ups breast cancer risk among Chinese
Enhancing Practice
Racial Disparities and Socioeconomic Status in Association with Survival in a Large Population-Based Cohort of Elderly Patients with Colon Cancer
(Cancer, Published online June 20, 2007)
Lower socioeconomic status and lack of definitive treatment were associated strongly with decreased survival in both men and women with colon cancer. Racial disparities in survival were explained substantially by differences in socioeconomic status.
See Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.
Differences in Breast Carcinoma in Newly Diagnosed African American and Caucasian Patients
Breast carcinomas in African-American patients appear to be more aggressive than in Caucasian patients due to multifactorial differences.
See Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.
See Related Article
- Breast Cancer Deadlier for Black Women
- A link between race and breast cancer; Black women more likely to get a more lethal form, study finds
Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer Patients Not Offered Surgery
The first comprehensive, nationwide review of treatment of patients with stage I pancreatic cancer who are candidates for surgery has found that nearly 4 in 10 are not offered the option, even though it has a demonstrable survival benefit. Several factors were associated with not being offered surgery, such as being older than 65, African American, on Medicare or Medicaid, and being treated at lower volume or community hospitals.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_062607/page4/print?page=&keyword
See Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Disproportionately Affects African American and Hispanic Women
A form of breast cancer shown to disproportionately affect young African American women has also recently been found to have an increased incidence in Hispanic women. In early 2007, a study from the California Cancer Registry confirmed the higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in young African American women and also identified a smaller but significant increased prevalence in Hispanic women.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_072407/page7
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/114192810/PDFSTARTSee Related Article
Second HPV Vaccine Shows Early Positive Results
The vaccine Cervarix® was 90 percent effective against two types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer, according to the June 30, 2007, Lancet.
See Full Article
http://www.sciencedirect.comSee Related Article
Select Cancer Disparities News Stories
Cancer Patients Lost in a Maze of Uneven Care
Death rates from cancer have been dropping for about 15 years in the United States, but experts say far too many patients receive inferior care.
See Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.
For Blacks, Skin Cancer is Rare But Dangerous
Blacks do get skin cancer, though not as much as white people do. When they are diagnosed, blacks are more likely to be in advanced and possibly fatal stages.
See Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.
Racial Health Gaps Concern for County
A new report for Douglas County shows gaps between whites and blacks on cancer deaths, heart disease and other health problems.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10084301
Closing the Divide: How Medical Homes Promote Equity in Health Care: Results From The Commonwealth Fund 2006 Health Care Quality Survey
The Commonwealth Fund 2006 Health Care Quality Survey presents new information about interventions that show promise for promoting equity in health care and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in access to high-quality care. Findings from this survey are promising, as they suggest that racial and ethnic disparities are not immutable.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=506814
Communication Now Part of the Cure
Retired Boston physician Jonathan Fine became a patient advocate in 2004 when he realized communication between doctor and patient is often the first casualty of a major illness.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-07-19-communication-cure_N.htm?csp=34
Funding, Training, and Employment Opportunities
Disparities-Related Funding Opportunities
Health Promotion Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Males (R01) (PA-07-422)
These Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) solicit Research Project (R01) and Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant applications from applicants that propose to stimulate and expand research in the health of minority men.
Health Research with Diverse Populations (R01) (PA-07-409)
The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to invite grant applications for biological, behavioral, social, addictive, and mental health research related to the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and other diverse populations. Proposed research should be appropriate for the missions of one or more of the participating Institutes.
Reducing Health Disparities Among Minority and Underserved Children (R01) (PA-07-391 and PA-07-392)
This initiative focuses on ethnic and racial minority children and underserved populations of children such as: children from low literacy, rural and low-income populations, geographically isolated children, hearing and visually impaired children, physically or mentally disabled children, children of migrant workers, children from immigrant and refugee families, and language minority children.
Training and Employment Opportunities
Two Full-Time Faculty Positions at the University of Texas Health Science Center
The University of Texas Health Science Center is accepting applications for two open rank tenure-track scholars in its Institute for Health Promotions Research. Candidates may possess expertise in any of the following areas: epidemiology, bioinformatics, health promotion, health communication, health psychology, policy research, environmental/occupational health, screening, and survivorship.
http://ceb.uthscsa.edu/positions.html
Building Future Faculty Program
The North Carolina State University Building Future Faculty Program is a two-day all-expenses paid workshop for advanced graduate students and post-docs interested in pursuing academic careers. Its purpose is to increase the number of faculty from under-represented groups, both at NCSU and elsewhere.
Deadline: December 30, 2007
http://www.ncsu.edu/diversity
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Minority Women's Health Summit: "Addressing Disparities, Acknowledging Resilience, Providing Actions for Success"
August 23-26, 2007
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC
http://www.4woman.gov/mwhs/
Minority Health Conference
August 27-28, 2007
Cornhusker Marriot
Lincoln, NE
http://www.hhss.ne.gov/minorityhealth/MHConference.htm
7th National Changing Patterns of Cancer in Native Communities: The Power of Partnerships
September 5-8, 2007
Hyatt Regency
Minneapolis, MN
http://www.mayoclinic.org/nativeprograms
Get in the Game! Eliminating Cancer Disparities Among African Americans
September 17, 2007
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Kansas City, MO
http://www.practicalbioethics.org
4th Annual Asian American Health Conference: Leading the Way, Partnering for Change
September 28-29, 2007
NYU School of Medicine
New York, NY
http://www.med.nyu.edu