Abstract
Canada is facing cancer crisis. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in Canada. Despite recent advances in cancer management and research, growing disparities in cancer care have been noticed, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged groups and under-served communities. With the rising incidence of cancer and the increasing numbers of minorities and of social disparities in general, and without appropriate interventions, cancer care disparities will become only more pronounced. This paper highlights the concepts and definitions of equity in health and health care and examines several health determinants that increase the risk of cancer. It also reviews cancer care inequity in the high-risk groups. A conceptual framework is proposed and recommendations are made for the eradication of disparities within the health care system and beyond.
Highlights
Cancer is the one of the major causes of death throughout the world, second only to the cardiovascular diseases
Many years of advancement in cancer research have led to the development of sophisticated screening and treatment methods that have contributed to significant improvements in the outcomes of people living with cancer
In contrast to the United States, where inadequate health insurance coverage accounts for substantial disparity in cancer care, Canada offers universal health care to its citizens
Summary
Cancer is the one of the major causes of death throughout the world, second only to the cardiovascular diseases. Disparities in cancer care result in presentations that are more advanced and outcomes that are substantially inferior in some groups[4,5] Such disparity is not unexpected in developing countries, given the complexity and cost of modern cancer treatment. Inequities in cancer care and differential cancer outcomes in socially disadvantaged groups in the United States and Canada warrant further investigation, because both countries have well-developed health care systems. The present paper provides a Canadian perspective of disparities in cancer care It begins with the concepts and definitions of equity in health and health care, and it examines several health determinants that are associated with increased risk of cancer and differential outcomes in disadvantaged groups. A conceptual framework is proposed, and recommendations are made to eliminate disparities both within the health care system and beyond its confines
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