What I Learned in The Big Easy- We Can Make a Difference
Recently, I had the privilege to travel to New Orleans to attend the American Association for Cancer Research’s (AACR) Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved Conference. I was part of the Scientist-Survivor Program (SSP) – a program I would highly recommend to anyone considering advocacy work. The purpose of this conference was to advance the understanding of and ultimately help eliminate the disparities along the cancer continuum. What are Cancer Disparities? Although cancer effects everyone in the United States- old/young, rich/poor, fit/unfit, male/female and all races and ethnicities certain groups of people have a higher incidence and prevalence for a particular type of cancer, higher rates of complications associated with their cancer treatment, higher death rates and are diagnosed at a later stage compared to other groups. Disparities are typically related to certain racial/ethnic groups, socioeconomic s