CANCER DISPARITIES NEWS DIGEST (10.31.07)
Editor's Note
This issue features a number of exciting career
opportunities for qualified students and professionals. Be sure to check the
"Training and Employment Opportunities" section below for more details.
CRCHD Announcements
Dr. Sanya Springfield Gives Keynote Address at AORTIC Conference in Cape Town, South Africa
Dr. Sanya A. Springfield, director of CRCHD, was a keynote speaker at the
recent African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Sixth
International Conference on the Burden of Cancer in Africa, October 24-28th, in
Cape Town, South Africa.
Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2006 Report Now Available
The Report of the Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2006, "Strengthening Our
Culture of Collaborations for Reducing Cancer Health Disparities," features a
series of recommendations for advancing a common goal of eliminating the burden
of cancer for all segments of society.
<>http://www.cancermeetings.org/CHDSummit06/CHDStrengtheningReport.pdf
"Economic Costs of Cancer Health Disparities: Summary of Meeting Proceedings" Now Available
Proceedings and recommendations now available from this historic
CRCHD-supported meeting to examine costs related to cancer health disparities.
Cancer News from NCI, NIH, and other Federal Agencies
From NCI
Decline in Cancer Death Rates Doubles: Annual Report on Cancer Takes Special Look at American Indians, Alaska Natives
The declining cancer death rate in the United States has fallen even more
significantly in recent years, according to an annual report from the nation's
leading cancer organizations. A special section in this year's Report to the
Nation provides the most comprehensive cancer data to date for American Indians
and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), one of the fastest growing populations in the
US.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Decline_in_Cancer_Deaths_Doubles.asp
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/116330621/HTMLSTART
See Related Articles
- U.S. Cancer Death Rate Continues to Decline
- U.S. Cancer Death Rates Are Found to Be Falling
- Cancer
Mortality Rates Show Dramatic Decline In The US
From NIH
The NIH Public Trust Initiative Launches The "Partners In Research" Program (R03)
This program supports the study of innovative programs designed to improve public understanding of health care research and promote collaboration between scientists and community organizations. It seeks to develop partnerships between scientific or research institutions and community organizations, and evaluates a variety of approaches in a range of target audiences or communities.
RFA-OD-07-001SBIR and STTR Funding Opportunities
These Funding Opportunity Announcements, issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), invite eligible United States Small Business Concerns (SBCs) to submit Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant applications. For more information, please contact the SBIR/STTR Program Director at Taylorem@mail.nih.gov.
Cancer News From the Field
NCI Grantee Spotlights
Dr. Elmer Huerta Appointed President of the American Cancer Society
Dr. Elmer Huerta, principal investigator of the Latin American Cancer Research Coalition, will serve as the new president of the American Cancer Society. Dr. Huerta is also the first Hispanic to hold this position.
See Article HereKarmanos Researcher Appointed as NIH Study Section Chairperson
Dr. Terrance Albrecht, principal investigator for NCI's Community Networks Program for Older, Underserved African-American Adults project, has been appointed as chairperson of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Community Influences on Health Behavior Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, through June 30, 2009.
http://www.karmanos.org/view_news.asp?id=434Susan G. Komen For the Cure Appointment and Award for Dr. Amelie Ramirez
Dr. Amelie Ramirez, principal investigator of the Community Networks Program's Redes En Acción: National Latino Cancer Research Network, has been appointed to the Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board and named "2007 Professor of Survivorship" for her outstanding contributions to breast cancer research by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Claudia Hardy Appointed to the Susan G. Komen's National Minority Advisory Council
Ms. Claudia Hardy, program manager of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Deep South Network for Cancer Control, has been appointed a member of the Susan G. Komen's National Advisory Council.
http://cms.komen.org/komen/NewsEvents/KomenNews/Archives/070403_AdvisoryCouncils07CURE Summer Culiminates in Dynamic Poster Session
Eighteen high school students from the CURE Academy share their science in an academic poster session at the Center for Biophotonics Science & Technology (CBST) at the end of their summer session.
http://cbst.ucdavis.edu/about/newsletter/cbst-fall-2007-newsletter.pdf/download
Enhancing Practice
Measure of Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities in Cancer Mortality Rates and the Influence of Socioeconomic Status
(Journal of the National Medical Association, October 2007)
This article, by Drs. Chu, Miller, and Springfield, examines the cancer rates by racial/ethnic group, socioeconomic status and time period to identify disparities underlying the overall mortality trend.
http://www.nmanet.org/images/uploads/Journal/OC1092.pdfOnions and Bubbles: Models of the Social Determinants of Health
In the October issue of Preventing Chronic Disease, Dr. Van Duyn and colleagues from the former Special Populations Networks Program introduce five articles on the role of society in energy balance programs - programs that encourage a healthy balance between calories consumed and calories expended - for Native Hawaiians and African Americans and for Hmong and Latina populations.
http://www.cdc.gov/PCD/issues/2007/oct/07_0126.htmSee Full Articles
Boyd, J.K., Braun, K.L. Supports for and Barriers to Healthy Living for Native Hawaiian Young Adults Enrolled in Community Colleges
Kim, L.P., Harrison, G.G., Kagawa-Singer, M. Perceptions of Diet and Physical Activity Among California Hmong Adults and Youths
Parham, G.P., Scarinci, I.C. Strategies for Achieving Healthy Energy Balance Among African Americans in the Mississippi Delta
Ramirez, A.G., Chalela,P., Gallion, K., Velez, L.F. Energy Balance Feasibility Study for Latinas in Texas: A Qualitative Assessment
Van Duyn, M.A.S., McCrae, T., Wingrove, B.K. et. al. Adapting Evidence-Based Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among African Americans, Hispanics, Hmong, and Native Hawaiians: A Social Marketing Approach
Differences Observed Between Black and White Women in Use of Breast Cancer Therapy
A new study finds treatment for breast cancer differs between African-American women and white women. Among patients with breast cancer that had spread to the lymph nodes, African-Americans were less likely to have adjuvant cancer therapy than white women.
See Article HereSee Full Article
Disentangling the Effects of Race on Breast Cancer Treatment
See Related Articles
- Black Women Get Less Breast Cancer Treatment
- Blacks
Breast Cancer Treatment Lacking
Prostate Cancer No Worse in African Americans
A new study in the journal Anticancer Research refutes the long-held belief that prostate cancer tumors are more aggressive in African-American men than in Caucasian men.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSLAU47622520071004?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNewsSee Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.See Related Article
Patient Navigation and Cultural Competency in Cancer Care
(Oncology Issues, September/October, 2007)
Culturally and linguistically appropriate cancer care paired with patient navigation improves access and participation of patients, and promotes the provision of more patient-friendly care by specialists and primary care providers.
See Full Article
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov.Fewer Blacks Receive End-of-Life Hospice Care
African-Americans are less likely than whites to receive end-of-life care from a hospice program, particularly for diseases other than cancer, a new study suggests.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21152211/See Full Article
Racial Differences in the Growth of Noncancer Diagnoses Among Hospice Enrollees
Select Cancer Disparities News Stories
Barbers Cut to the Chase in Minority Prostate Cancer Awareness
The barbershop -- a minority community gathering spot -- has been converted into an education resource in more than 100 sites across the country, resulting in thousands of black men seeking screening.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/ProstateCancer/tb/6623Understanding the Medical Pitfalls Associated With Your Ethnic Origin Can Help You Take Preventive Steps to Stay Healthy
Exactly how genetics affects our health and predisposes us to some diseases is not yet completely understood. The only thing that most doctors and researchers are sure of is that there is a definite link.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071002/news_lz1c2understa.htmlTo Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer, Black Women Strongly Urged to Breastfeed Their Babies
Researchers have known for quite some time that breastfeeding decreases the risk of all kinds of breast cancer and that young black women are less likely than white women to do it.
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/health/breastfeeding1015
Funding, Training, and Employment Opportunities
Disparities-Related Funding Opportunities
Request for Information (RFI): Medical Technologies for Reducing Disparities in Healthcare Access and Health Outcomes (NOT-EB-07-009)
The purpose of this request for information is to seek input from the scientific community, health professionals, patient advocates, industry, and the general public about medical technologies that can lead to a reduction in disparities in healthcare access and health outcomes.
Upcoming NARCH Grant Opportunity
Now in its fifth funding cycle, the NARCH (Native American Research Centers for Health) initiative provides funding to American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes or tribally based organizations to create partnerships with research institutions and conduct high quality biomedical, behavioral, and health services research. A formal NARCH V Announcement will be issued in the Federal Register in January 2008.
Training and Employment Opportunities
NCI Career Opportunities
<>Tenure-Track or Tenure Eligible Position in Viral Oncogenesis in HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch (HAMB)
NCI's HAMB is searching for a tenure track or tenure eligible investigator to establish an independent research program targeted to the study of viral-induced tumors, especially those associated with AIDS. <>Tenure-Track Principle Investigator
The Lab of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, Center for Cancer Research (CCR), is recruiting for a position in the area of chromatin structure and function, chromosome biology, and nuclear architecture. Senior investigators with expertise in the program area may apply. <>Tenure-track or Tenured Translational Investigator
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) of the National Cancer Institute is seeking a physician in gastrointestinal cancer or head and neck cancer. The successful candidate(s) will develop and execute translational research studies, care for patients enrolled in oncology protocols, and train clinical research fellows. <>Tenure-Track Position in Immunology
The Experimental Immunology Branch (EIB), Center for Cancer Research (CCR) invites applications for a tenure track prinicipal investigator position in basic molecular or cellular immunology.AACR Career Opportunities
The AACR offers an outstanding array of support mechanisms for cancer researchers at various stages in their careers. The following exciting career opportunities are now available:
Career Development Awards
Open to junior faculty who completed postdoctoral studies or clinical fellowships no more than three years prior to start date of grant term. Fellows Grants
Open to fellows who will be in the third, fourth or fifth year of their postdoctoral training at the start of the fellowship term. Research Fellowships
Open to fellows who will be in the first, second or third year of their postdoctoral training at the start of the fellowship term.2008 Introduction to Cancer Research Careers Program
The Introduction to Cancer Research Careers (ICRC) program was designed by the NCI for those from an underrepresented population or financially disadvantaged background. ICRC participants will have the opportunity to interview with NCI principal investigators seeking to fill both summer and 1 to 2 year research internship positions.
https://icrc.nci.nih.gov/index.htmlHead of Diversity Position at Keystone Symposia
Keystone Symposia seeks an individual to lead its diversity efforts. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, implementation and assessment of projects associated with enhancing diversity among speakers and attendees at Keystone Symposia meetings.
http://www.keystonesymposia.org/Employment/default.cfmFaculty Position in Cancer Epidemiology
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health seeks candidates for a tenure track Assistant Professor in the Cancer Health Disparities Research Program.
http://faculty.jhsph.edu/Position.cfm?id=57Upcoming Meetings and Events
APHA 2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition
November 3-7, 2007
The Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC
http://www.apha.org/meetings/Breakthroughs in Reducing Health Care Disparities
November 12-13, 2007
Capital Hilton
Washington, DC
http://web.ncqa.org/tabid/477/Default.aspxAACR - The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved
November 27 - 30, 2007
Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Atlanta, GA
http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/cancer-health-disparities.aspx11th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer
April 3-6, 2008
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC
Abstract Submission Deadline: November 15, 2007
http://iccnetwork.org/symposium/Cancer, Culture & Literacy: 6th Biennial Conference
May 15-17, 2008
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Clearwater Beach, FL
http://www.moffitt.org/Site.aspx?spid=D48CFB1754CF4A1CB906D298663E3FE4