Navigating Cancer Disparities: Lessons Learned and How to Move Forward
March 4-5, 2021 | Virtual
Read Wrap-Up Message from Chairs, Jennifer Cullen, PhD and Erika Trapl, PhD
Last week, 230 attendees joined us virtually for the 5th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium. Our two-day event, themed "Navigating Cancer Disparities: Lessons Learned and How to Move Forward," fostered conversation among researchers, clinicians, community outreach groups, patient advocates, trainees and key stakeholders from community-based organizations, local government officials, private foundations and commercial businesses—from across 23 states coast to coast and one country outside the United States.
Our Community Keynote speaker was Dr. Worta McCaskill-Stevens, Chief of the Community Oncology and Prevention Trials Research Group, which houses the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Her presentation focused on opportunities and challenges in partnerships between community and academic oncology, highlighting the need for innovative clinical trial design and analysis to reduce disparities and advance equity among underserved populations. Dr. Otis Brawley, the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Oncology and Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, presented our Scientific Keynote presentation. Dr. Brawley's talk challenged us to consider the importance of increasing cancer prevention efforts and ensuring optimal basic health care for all to advance cancer control in the 21st century. These talks were complemented by engaging presentations on COVID and cancer, minority enrollment in clinical trials, the interplay of biology and social determinants of health in cancer, and a moving session on the personal, physical, and financial experiences of cancer. Our two-day event was topped off with a powerful panel discussion featuring speakers from earlier sessions as well as other national and local leaders in cancer disparities.
The 5th Annual Cancer Disparities Symposium, "Navigating Cancer Disparities: Lessons Learned and How to Move Forward," is presented by the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.
This multi-disciplinary event will appeal to researchers, clinicians, health professionals, community outreach groups, community-based organizations, patient advocates and trainees. Keynote presentations will be delivered by renowned disparities researchers and community leaders, and a poster session highlighting academic research and community programs will provide a showcase of the depth and breadth of work happening in this field.
Session topics include:
- COVID-19 and cancer disparities
- Improving the participation of minority and underserved populations in cancer clinical trials
- Interplay of biology and social determinants of cancer disparities
- The many pains of cancer: physical, emotional and financial
Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an in-depth discussion of the book Just Medicine: A Cure for Racial Inequality in American Health Care by Dayna Bowen Matthew.
Though this event is happening virtually, attendees will experience the conference using Whova, our official web-based conference app, to view presentations and ask questions in real-time as well as network with others behind the scenes. Attendees are also eligible to receive eight (8) continuing research education credits (CRECs).
Keynote Speakers
Scientific Keynote
Otis W. Brawley, MD, an internationally-recognized expert in cancer prevention and control, will deliver the scientific keynote address, "Cancer Control and Health Disparities in the 21st Century." His work is focused on closing racial, economic and social disparities in prevention, detection and treatment of cancer in the United States and worldwide. Dr. Brawley is the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Oncology and Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, and leads a broad interdisciplinary research effort on cancer health disparities at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Kimmel Cancer Center.
Community Keynote
Worta McCaskill-Stevens, MD, MS is a nationally known medical oncologist with expertise in bringing clinical trials to the community. Dr. McCaskill-Stevens is Chief of the Community Oncology and Prevention Trials Research Group, which houses the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), a community-based clinical trials network launched in 2014. As NCORP Director, she oversees the program supporting community hospitals, physicians and others to participate in NCI-approved cancer treatment, prevention, screening, and control clinical trials, as well as cancer care delivery studies.
Virtual Web-Based Experience
Attendees will experience the symposium using Whova, our official web-based conference app, to view presentations and ask questions during panel discussions, and to easily network and connect behind the scenes. Registered attendees will be sent email invitations and instructions to access the virtual conference at least a week before the symposium. Attendees registered after February 25 will receive conference access information the business day following their registration, or within an hour of registration day-of event.
Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor
As a symposium sponsor or exhibitor, your company or organization will have the opportunity to connect with symposium attendees, build new relationships and highlight the resources you have available.