Survivorship Disparities
National Cancer Institute - Cancer Health Disparities
The American Association of Cancer Research defines cancer survivorship as encompassing three different phases: the time from diagnosis to the end of initial treatment, the transition from initial treatment to extended survival, and long-term survival. While each phase of cancer survivorship has its unique challenges, groups of cancer survivors experiencing health disparities can have additional adverse outcomes. What is a health disparity?
Health disparities can be found in almost every diagnosis and medical situation. 
Risk factors, along with population descriptions, contribute to disparities for cancer survivors. Some risk factors include, but are not limited to, genetic and biological factors, healthcare access, socioeconomic factors, chemical and physical exposures, diet, and physical activity. The effect on health outcomes from survivorship disparities can be seen within specific groups of the population described by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, and education level.
A large disparity seen in Georgia affecting cancer care, especially survivorship care, is rural living. Underserved and uninsured populations including racial and ethnic minorities and residents of rural areas experience an increased incidence of cancer, higher mortality rates, and later stages of diagnosis. To address this complex issue, Georgia CORE has become a leader in advancing cancer-focused health equity and created partnerships designed to reduce disparities in access to clinical trials, cancer screening, navigation and genetic risk assessment. Georgia CORE is committed to improving the quality of cancer for all Georgians and closing the gap in health disparities.
Examples
Breast Cancer
African American women are nearly twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and are much more likely than white women to die from breast cancer.
Liver Cancer
Rates of liver cancer are higher among American Indians/Alaska Natives and Asian and Pacific Islanders than other racial/ethnic groups.
Cervical Cancer
Women in rural areas are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer as women in more urban areas.
Education
People with higher education are less likely to die prematurely from colorectal cancer than those with less education.
Rural Areas
Rates of colorectal, lung, and cervical cancers are higher in rural Appalachia than urban areas in the same region.
Examples have been adapted from The National Cancer Institute
Last Updated: 2/23/2022 1:42:56 PM
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