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. 2022 Jun 1;31(6):1243-1246.
doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-21-1179.

Structural Racism and Cancer: Calls to Action for Cancer Researchers to Address Racial/Ethnic Cancer Inequity in the United States

Alicia L Best  1 , Mya L Roberson  2 , Jesse J Plascak  3 , Caryn E Peterson  4 , Charles R Rogers  5 , Theresa A Hastert  6 , Yamilé Molina  7
Affiliations

Structural Racism and Cancer: Calls to Action for Cancer Researchers to Address Racial/Ethnic Cancer Inequity in the United States

Alicia L Best et al. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. .

Abstract

As leaders with the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) Cancer Health Disparities Special Interest Group, we describe the role of structural racism in perpetuating cancer health inequity historically, and potential implications of COVID-19 in exacerbating the effects of structural racism on patients with cancer seeking screening, diagnostic care, treatment, and survivorship support. As a strategy to reduce cancer inequities in the United States, we provide the following calls to action for cancer researchers to help alleviate the burden of structural racism: (i) identify and name structural racism while describing its operation within all aspects of scientific research; (ii) comprehensively integrate discussions on structural racism into teaching, mentoring, and service activities; and (iii) understand and support community actions to address structural racism.

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References

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