According to the American Cancer Society, rates of cancer death are higher among racial and ethnic minorities. At Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), our experts are committed to finding the reasons for these disparities, reducing cancer incidence, and addressing these inequities.

 

Recently, we held an MECCC Genentech AIR Cancer Health Equity Symposium, attended by around 125 members of the community, cancer doctors, and other specialists from around the country, to highlight the importance of diversity in cancer clinical trial research and encourage conversations about cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research, and programming that supports quality of life for people with cancer in The Bronx.

 

Genentech AIR (advancing inclusive research) works closely with a select five cancer centers around the country, of which MECCC is one, to reduce barriers to cancer research access and participation. Excitingly, they also chose to hold this important, annual, cancer health equity symposium in only one site, and that was right here in The Bronx at MECCC.

 

We heard directly from community members about their experiences with cancer and discussed the various factors in a person’s life that affect their chances of getting cancer. We heard from cancer researchers and medical providers on the important resources available to achieve optimal health, including genetic counseling, clinical trials, and psychosocial support.

 

We also heard from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson about the importance of promoting health equity through addressing social determinants of health in the neighborhoods we live and work in, through access to healthy food, and safe places to exercise, and secure housing.

 

We also shared how we provide leading cancer therapies and clinical trials, which are accessible and serve our diverse community, representing 200 languages. Together, we are learning about how to advance overall health in our community and tackle barriers to early access to state-of-the-art cancer care, including stigma, fear, and lack of access to the most up-to-date information, treatments, and research.

 

As a new year quickly approaches, we want our community to be mindful of important steps for us to take control of our health and help reduce cancer risk. At MECCC, we have many resources to ensure our community is armed with the best defenses against cancer, including:

• risk assessment to understand your risk for cancer;
• navigation to cancer screening;
• clinical Trials Office with over 320 clinical trials;
• state-of-the-art genetic testing;
• the BOLD Cancer Wellness Program for psychosocial support and the BOLD Buddy peer navigation;
• cancer education & training for Bronx youth;
• diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that promote diversity in the workforce at MECCC; and
• community outreach, education and screening events upon request.

 

As we look towards 2024, we look forward to to hosting screening events to help catch cancer at earlier stages when it’s easiest to treat or cure, providing the highest quality care and access to clinical trials for new cancer treatment and connecting our Bronx community at risk of, or living with, cancer with our BOLD peer support and wellness programs. We want to assure you that we are here to support the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of people in our community affected by cancer.

 

To learn more visit  https://cancer.montefioreeinstein.org/.

 

Alyson Moadel-Robblee Ph.D. is director of the BOLD Cancer Wellness Program, and deputy director of community engagement and cancer health equity at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center.

 

Balazs Halmos M.D. is a professor at the Department of Oncology (medical oncology) and the Department of Medicine (oncology & hematology), and is associate director for clinical science at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center.

 

Adebola A. Adedimeji Ph.D. is professor and division head at the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health (health behavior research & implementation science), and associate director for diversity, equity & inclusion at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center.