Abstract IA001: Ending cancer as we know it – for all

Abstract

Abstract Despite decades of remarkable progress in cancer research, the unfortunate truth is that the benefits of research have not reached all populations equitably. Without adequate representation, especially in therapeutic trials, cancer disparities are likely to increase as racial and ethnic populations, in particular, may not be able to fully benefit from cutting-edge treatments and the promises of precision medicine. In order to end cancer as we know it, it is essential that we advance health equity and ensure that cancer research benefits everyone affected by cancer. This requires more research to understand why disparities persist and how to properly address them, and significant efforts to overcome the structural barriers that have long stood in the way. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has long been a leader in advancing health equity in cancer research. NCI has a rich and large health disparities portfolio, which includes the work of its Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, a substantial portion of its translational research portfolio and decades of training to empower researchers from diverse populations. In recent years, NCI has expanded its efforts and launched new programs to specifically address diversity, equity and inclusion in cancer research and build a cancer research workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and produces the best science. The Cancer Moonshot, launched in 2016, has accelerated scientific discovery in cancer, fostered greater collaboration, and improved the sharing of data. In the next phase of the Moonshot, NCI is leveraging the success of the initial Moonshot to further catalyze research progress, with the aim to benefit all patients equitably. Citation Format: Douglas R. Lowy. Ending cancer as we know it – for all [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 15th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2022 Sep 16-19; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA001.