CANCER DISPARITIES NEWS DIGEST (09.18.07)
CRCHD Announcements
Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership (MI/CCP) Investigator Workshop
Sponsored by CRCHD, the MI/CCP Workshop '07, held on September 6-7, brought together over 100 established and junior investigators from the Partnership grants to share successes, challenges, training strategies and community outreach models. Highlights of cutting edge MI/CCP cancer research work was emphasized.
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. Abstract deadline extended to Monday, September 24, 2007.
http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/meetings--workshops/cancer-health-disparities.aspx
Cancer News from NCI, NIH, and other Federal Agencies
From NCI
The National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Legislative Database (SCLD)
The SCLD Program will provide expanded coverage of topics related to cancer health disparities, providing a resource for cancer disparities researchers and community program leaders to understand the legislative climate in their respective states, as well as the policy impact of their work. Topics will include access to early detection and cancer treatment services, awareness and legislative acknowledgment of cancer health disparities, patient navigator provisions, and public education and outreach.
http://www.scld-nci.net
New Initiative to Study the Glycobiology of Cancer Could Aid Understanding of Cancer Risk and Detection
The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is funding a new $15.5 million, five-year initiative to discover, develop, and clinically validate cancer biomarkers by targeting the carbohydrate (glycan) part of a molecule. Biomarkers are substances sometimes found in the blood, other body fluids, or tissues that measure biological processes. Seven NCI-funded Tumor Glycome Laboratories are now searching for glycan-based biomarkers for melanoma, breast, ovarian, lung, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers.
http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/GlycobiologyAlliance
A Conversation with...Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr.
The President's Cancer Panel, a three-person advisory committee appointed by the President, oversees the National Cancer Program and reports directly to the President any delays or blockages in its rapid execution. Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery at Howard University College of Medicine, has served as chair of the Panel since 2002 and was recently reappointed for a third term.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_082107/page7?cb_email=1
From NIH
Award-Winning NIH Administrator Appointed Deputy Director at National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Joyce A. Hunter, Ph.D., a cardiovascular physiologist and award-winning administrator at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will serve as deputy director, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), NIH. Hunter is a recognized expert on NIH extramural policies and has an extensive career in program and scientific review administration.
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jul2007/ncmhd-23.htm
Black Women Needed for Breast Cancer Study
Millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, especially black women. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is conducting the country's largest study that looks at genetics and environment to assess the risk of breast cancer called the Sister Study. Women who have sisters with breast cancer are participants in the study.
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=7b2a42469cbf3438951259ab2b4fa54b&from=rss
NCMHD Announces New Director for Extramural Activities and Scientific Programs
Award-wining epidemiologist and academician Francisco Sy, M.D., Dr.P.H., has been appointed as the new director of Extramural Activities and Scientific Programs at the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2007/ncmhd-17.htm
Cancer News From the Field
NCI Grantee Spotlights
Experts say Cancer Leading Cause of Death among Asian Americans
Cancer deaths have declined in general, but not among Asian Americans. What is the biggest challenge facing these health experts? Dr. Moon Chen, Jr., principal investigator of Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research, and Training (AANCART), said, "It is not the norm for Asians to pro-actively seek care. People seek care only when symptoms appear and they are already very ill." Dr. Grace Ma, principal investigator for ATECAR-Asian Community Cancer Network, also noted that Koreans and Vietnamese both have low insurance rates, "but Vietnamese are less culturally reluctant to getting regular, preventive services."
http://www.asianfortunenews.com/site/article_0807.php?article_id=38
Enhancing Practice
Tackling Cancer Care Disparities in the Community
Cancer health disparities continue to be a tremendous public health challenge. A recent study, led by the American Cancer Society, found that people who are without health insurance or on Medicaid are far more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cancer than those with private insurance.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_072407/page3?cb_email=1
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/114278329/HTMLSTART
See Related Article
National Failure to Operate on Early Stage Pancreatic Cancer
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov
HPV Vaccine Not Effective for Treating Pre-Existing Infections
A vaccine developed to prevent infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV), the cause of cervical cancer, was found to be ineffective for treating women with pre-existing HPV infections, according to a study published in the August 15 Journal of the American Medical Association.
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_082107/page4
See Full Article
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/298/7/743
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Racial Differences in Kidney Cancer Care, Outcome
There are disparities in the treatment and outcome between older black and white patients who have renal cell cancer, with blacks having significantly lower survival rates, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSPAR77023220070907?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews
See Full Article
http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/full/25/24/3589
Differences in predictors of cervical and breast cancer screening by need in uninsured Latina women
(Cancer, August 14, 2007)
Latina women experience higher mortality for cervical cancer and lower 5-year survival for breast cancer than non-Latina White women. Adherence with screening recommendations can increase chances of survival, yet the factors that influence screening behaviors in uninsured women are not well documented.
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/114804000/main.html,ftx_abs?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
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Within-stage racial differences in tumor size and number of positive lymph nodes in women with breast cancer
(Cancer, August 13, 2007)
Black women have higher breast cancer mortality rates, are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease, and have worse stage-for-stage survival than white women. It was hypothesized that differences in the tumor size and number of positive lymph nodes within each disease stage contribute to the survival disparity.
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/114294042/HTMLSTART
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Most Asian Men Have Better Prostate Cancer Survival Rates
Asian men have better survival rates than white males, while South Asians have the worst survival rates, according to results of a study of men living in California.
http://www.cancersource.com/DiagnosisAndTreatment/ProstateCancer/News/6,607251
See Full Article
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/114803697/HTMLSTARTSee Related Articles
Blacks, Hispanics in Connecticut at Higher Risk for Chronic Diseases
Blacks and Hispanics in Connecticut are more likely than whites to be in fair or poor health and are at higher risk for chronic diseases, including cancer, according to a report released Thursday by the NAACP Connecticut State Conference of Branches.
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=47236
See Full Article
http://www.naacpct.org/Health_Status_Report3-Edited%20Version6-27-07.pdfColorado: Address Universal Coverage, Costs, and Health Disparities
Recent activity in the legislative and executive branches is spurring efforts in Colorado to expand health coverage and reduce health disparities. Evidence suggests that both initiatives could help to contain health care costs.
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=515820&#colorado
Plain-Spoken Pathology
Launched by the College of American Pathologists, the site, at http://www.mybiopsy.org, includes easy-to-understand information about 20 common cancers, including breast, lung, colon and prostate tumors. It also features treatment options, definitions of key terms such as "noninfiltrating" and photographs of normal and abnormal tissue.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/17/AR2007081701955.html
Breast Cancer Guidelines Now Available in Spanish
The Breast Health Global Initiative's Guidelines for International Breast Health and Cancer Control are now available in Spanish. The guidelines were published in English in 2006 and address resources for early detection and access to care, diagnosis and pathology, treatment and allocation of resources, and health systems and public policy to reduce the burden of breast cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMCs).
http://www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin/NCI_Cancer_Bulletin_082107/page10?cb_email=1#c
Select Cancer Disparities News Stories
New Clues in Breast Cancer Racial Gap: Racial Gap in Breast Cancer Death Rate May Be Worst in Breast Cancer's Later Stages
Breast Cancer death rates may be nearly 40% higher for African-American women than white women with the same stage of breast cancer, a new study shows. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/13/health/webmd/main3164135.shtml
See Related Articles
Minorities Lag in Preventive Health Care
In two new studies, researchers are finding just how much minorities lag behind whites in using preventive services, and how the reasons aren't just socioeconomic.
For full article, please send requests to rb554v@nih.gov
See Related Article
The Color of Health Care: Diagnosing Bias in Doctors
Disparities in survival and health among people belonging to different racial groups have long been noted. Studies have shown that diagnoses and treatments offered by physicians vary between racial groups for similar diseases
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/12/AR2007081201048_pf.html
Funding, Training, and Employment Opportunities
Disparities-Related Funding Opportunities
Extension of Expiration Date for Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (NOT-OD-07-092)
This notice extends the expiration date of PA-05-015, Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, to September 30, 2008. Please see the full Funding Opportunity Announcement, PA-05-015, released November 19, 2004 for complete information about this administrative supplement program.
Loan Repayment Program for Health Disparities Research (LRP)(PA-07-439)
The HDR-LRP provides for the repayment of educational loan debt of up to $35,000 annually for qualified health professionals conducting minority health or other health disparities research for domestic non-profit or government entities.
Addendum to RFA-MD-07-003: NCMHD Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Initiative in Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities: Intervention Research Phase (R24) (NOT-MD-07-003)
The purpose of this announcement is to clarify the first year activities of this research grant for applicants responding to FA-MD-07-003: NCMHD Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Initiative in Reducing and Eliminating Health Disparities: Intervention Research Phase (R24).
Training and Employment Opportunities
The Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy (CFHUF)
This innovative fellowship is designed to prepare physicians, particularly minority physicians, for leadership roles in formulating and implementing public health policy and practice on a national, state, or community level. Fellows will complete academic work leading to a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the Harvard School of Public Health, and, through additional program activities, gain experience in and understanding of major health issues facing minority, disadvantaged, and underserved populations.
http://www.mfdp.med.harvard.edu/fellows_faculty/cfhuf/index.htm
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
Institute of Public Health Sciences of Yeshiva University - "Diversity and Disparity in Health Conference"
September 20-21, 2007
Geraldine Schottenstein Cultural Center
New York, NY
http://www.cdnetwork.org/NewCDN/UpcomingEvents.aspx
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/csaah/training/conf2007.html
APHA 2007 Annual Meeting & Exposition
November 3-7, 2007
The Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC
http://www.apha.org/meetings/
Society of Behavioral Medicine's 29th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions
March 26-29, 2008
Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego, CA
http://sbm.org/meeting/2008/default.asp