CANCER DISPARITIES NEWS DIGEST (02.12.08)
CRCHD Announcements
Dr. Sanya Springfield Is Guest Author for NCI Director's Update
Dr. Springfield, director of CRCHD, served as the guest author for the NCI Cancer Bulletin during the month of January.
Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (MI/CCP) (U54)
The U54 MI/CCP RFA, which fosters and supports equal and mutually beneficial collaborations among MSIs and the NCI-designated Cancer Centers, was recently reissued. Applications are due 3/20/08.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-CA-08-001.html
Save the Date! The CRCHD Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2008 will take place July 14-16 at the Bethesda North Marriot Hotel & Conference Center.
Newly Updated! NCI Cancer Health Disparities Fact Sheet
Recently released is the NCI Fact Sheet entitled "Cancer Health Disparities: Questions and Answers" with current cancer disparity statistics and information.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/cancer-health-disparities
Newly Released! Webcast Sessions from the AACR meeting for The Science of Cancer Health Disparities Conference.
Held November 23-30, 2008 in Atlanta, GA and jointly sponsored by NCI's CRCHD and the AACR, webcast sessions from this conference are now available free of charge to both members and non-members.
http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/cancer-health-disparities/webcast-sessions.aspx
Cancer News from NCI, NIH, and other Federal Agencies
From NCI
NCI Teams Up With AOL Latino to Help Cervical Cancer Awareness
In partnership with NCI, AOL Latino is publishing a special segment on Latinas and cervical cancer for its health page in January. Included is information from NCI's Web site as well as a link to cancer.gov en espanol and the 1-800-4CANCER number.
http://tuvida.aol.com/salud/salud-sexual/cancer-cervix
NCI Debuts New Easy to Read Radiation Therapy Educational Resources
Designed in easy-to-read and understand formats, these resources provide straightforward information to help patients understand how radiation therapy works and how to best manage its side effects. Available in English and Spanish.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wtk/index
Researchers Discover New Biomarker for Predicting Liver Cancer Spread and Survival
Researchers at the NCI, Ohio State University, and the Liver Cancer Institute in China, have discovered that unique molecules regulating gene activity can predict the spread of the cancer and survival time periods.
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2008/nci-07a.htm
From NIH
Finding Strength In Numbers
"There's wide agreement that good mental health and relationships can lengthen a person's life by motivating more healthful behavior," according to Dr. David Abrams, director of NIH's Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. Research is still being conducted on these topics, but many patients benefit from healthy relationships while undergoing treatment.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-01-06-cancer-support-main_N.htm
Other Federal Agencies
New Genetic Breast Cancer Test is Approved
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a test that helps assess the risk of tumor recurrence in high-risk breast cancer patients.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01774.html
FDA Receives New Data on Risks of Anemia Drugs
New data from two studies show that patients with breast or advanced cervical cancers who received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or ESAs to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy died sooner or had more rapid tumor growth than similar patients who didn't receive the anemia drug.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01769.html
Cancer News From the Field
NCI Grantee Spotlights
Dr. Kevin Fiscella Receives 1 Million Dollar Grant from ACS to Conduct Racial Disparity Research
Dr. Kevin Fiscella, associate professor of Family Medicine, Community and Preventive Medicine and Oncology at the University of Rochester, and NCI Patient Navigator Research Program Principal Investigator, has received a 1 million dollar grant from the American Cancer Society to improve the rates of cancer screenings among underserved patients in Rochester.
http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pr/news/story.cfm?id=1829
Enhancing Practice
Oral Contraceptives Reduce the Risk of Ovarian Cancer
A recent study reveals that oral contraceptives can cut the risk of ovarian cancer in women and have saved about 100,000 cancer deaths worldwide. The contraceptives protect against ovarian cancer up to 20 years after women stop taking the pill.
See Full Article
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673608601671/abstract
See Related Articles
Study: The Pill Protects Against Cancer
Oral Contraceptives Cut Ovarian Cancer Risk
'The Pill' Helps Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk, Wider Use is Urged
Racial Disparities in Cancer Therapy: Did the Gap Narrow Between 1992-2002?
A new study finds that no improvement has been reported in access to cancer treatment for black patients.
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/117880278/HTMLSTART
See Related Articles
- Cancer Treatment Depends On Patient's Race
- Significant Racial Disparities in Cancer Therapy Still Exist:
Cancer Doctors May Need Training on Empathy Skills
Cancer specialists and oncologists may need additional training to encourage patients to express their concerns and negative emotions and to respond empathically to these concerns.
http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/full/25/36/5748
Health Literacy Practices in Primary Care Settings: Examples From the Field
Patients with low health literacy are at greater risk of misunderstanding treatment recommendations, taking prescription medications improperly, and experiencing lower health status and poorer health outcomes. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=645961
Race-Neutral Versus Race-Conscious Workforce Policy To Improve Access To Care
A new study evaluates current minority health workforce policies to improving access to care by reviewing evidence of providers' service to the underserved population.
http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/27/1/234
Variation of Breast Cancer Risk Among BRCA1/2 Carriers
Study of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers finds a broad variation in breast cancer risk among carriers of these mutations.
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/299/2/194
African American Women Less Likely to Undergo BRCA1/2 Genetic Testing
In general, African American women are less likely than white women to pursue genetic testing for BRCA1/2, researchers report. However, African American women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer are much more likely to undergo genetic testing.
http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=11781
Providing Language Services In State and Local Health-Related Benefits Offices: Examples From the Field.
This Commonwealth Fund report provides details on a study conducted by the National Health Law Program that assessed the language services offered at state and local agencies.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm
Black British Women Younger at Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A new study states that black British women have earlier onset of breast cancer compared to any other race.
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v98/n2/full/6604174a.html
Select Cancer Disparities News Stories
Clinical Trials for Cancer Drugs Lacking for Young Adults
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh find fewer opportunities for children and young adults to enroll in ongoing clinical cancer research trials, and are working to make more clinical trials available for young adults with cancer. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_547622.html
Panel Says Reaching HPV Vaccine Potential Requires Addressing Disparities
American Cancer Society (ACS) panel reports young women at risk for cervical cancer in underserved areas need to be more routinely vaccinated and offered more access to regular screenings and pap tests.
http://www.southtownstar.com/lifestyles/737631,011508toyourhealth.article
Insurance Status Linked To Cancer Outcomes
New ACS report finds substantial evidence that lack of adequate health insurance coverage is associated with less access to care and poorer outcomes for cancer patients.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071220082825.htm
Funding, Training, and Employment Opportunities
Disparities-Related Funding Opportunities
Community Participation in Research (R01)
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks intervention research in quasi-experimental research projects that seek to influence preventive behaviors, treatment adherences, complementary behaviors, and related attitudes and beliefs.
CBPR Targeting the Medically Underserved PAR (R01)
This FOA will use the R01 grant mechanism to encourage studies that specifically target medically underserved areas as well as underserved and underrepresented populations.
CBPR Targeting the Medically Underserved PAR (R21)
This FOA will use the R21 grant mechanism to encourage studies that specifically target medically underserved areas as well as underserved and underrepresented populations.
Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research II (CECCR II) (P50)
The CECCR Program promotes interdisciplinary research in the area of cancer communication with the purpose of contributing directly to positive health outcomes and quality of life for individuals.
Feasibility Studies for Collaborative Interaction for Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (P20)
This P20 requires planning and implementation of focused collaborations in cancer-related research, training, career development, education, and/or outreach.
Training and Employment Opportunities
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Health Disparities Research
Applications being accepted for several open-rank tenured/tenure-track faculty in any area of health disparities research. Qualifications include a doctoral degree in sociology, epidemiology, public health, psychology, demography, anthropology, geography, communications, or related field.
Contact: David W. Wetter, Ph.D., Professor and Chair (dwetter@mdanderson.org).
Upcoming Meetings and Events
3rd Annual Texas Conference on Health Disparities
March 29-31, 2008
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Forth Worth, TX
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 15, 2008
http://www.hsc.unt.edu/HealthDisparities/conference.html
11th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer
April 3-6, 2008
Omni Shoreham Hotel
Washington, DC
http://iccnetwork.org/symposium
2nd Annual Health Disparities Conference
April 10-12, 2008
Westin Canal Place
New Orleans, LA
http://xula08.the1joshuagroup.com/index.html
AACR Annual Meeting
April 12-16, 2008
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, CA
http://www.aacr.org/meetingcalendar
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
CRCHD Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2008
July 14-16, 2008
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center
Rockville, MD
Lance Armstrong Foundation: National Meeting on Survivorship
July 24-27, 2008
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
National Latino Cancer Summit
July 30-August 1, 2008
UCSF-Conference Center at Mission Bay
San Francisco, CA
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, CA
http://www.apha.org/meetings/highlights/