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M. D. Anderson
observes National Minority Cancer Awareness
Week
Newswise — National
Minority Cancer Awareness Week is April
20-26, and The University of Texas M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center is encouraging people
to learn about the growing disparity in
cancer incidence and death rates that affect
minority populations.
“The week’s emphasis
gives physicians, nurses, health care
professionals and researchers an opportunity
to assess current cancer trends facing
minority populations and develop creative
approaches to addressing issues unique to
these communities,” said Lovell A. Jones,
Ph.D., director of the Center for Research
on Minority Health at M. D. Anderson.
In 1986, Jones
approached Senator Lloyd Bentsen and
Representative Mervyn Dymally to support a
joint resolution designating the third full
week in April as National Minority Cancer
Awareness Week.
On April 8, 1987, the
U. S. House of Representatives Joint
Resolution 119 approved this recommendation.
The resolution, as explained in the
Congressional Record, drew attention to the
fact that cancer has a disproportionately
severe impact on minorities and the
economically disadvantaged.
“National Minority
Cancer Awareness Week promotes the
importance of increased cancer screening and
treatment among segments of the populations
at greater risk of developing the disease,”
Jones said.
“With a steadily
changing demographic and the lack of
significant progress in cancer disparities,
the need to address this issue has become
even greater to the well-being of this
nation.”
Minority Populations
Continue Rapid Growth
According to Jones,
minority populations in the United States
continue to grow at a rapid rate. The U.S.
Census Bureau reported that the
nation’s minority population currently is
estimated at 100.7 million, compared to 98.3
million a year ago.
In addition, nonwhites
now make up a majority in almost one-third
of the most-populous counties in the country
and in nearly one in 10 of all 3,100
counties.
“The gap in cancer
incidence and mortality rates between
minority populations and whites also is a
growing issue,” Jones said.
“Minority groups are
more likely than the general population to
be diagnosed with and/or die from certain
types of cancer.”
Factors that may
contribute to this include:
* Lack of medical insurance coverage or
underinsurance
* Barriers to early detection and screening,
such as lack of access to nearby facilities
* Language and cultural barriers
* Unequal access to improved cancer
treatments
* Discrimination within the health care
system
Events
Scheduled for 2008
The Center for Research
on Minority Health at M. D. Anderson plans
to observe National Minority Cancer
Awareness Week with a symposium luncheon
open to the public on Tuesday, April 22 at
the J. W. Marriot Hotel in Houston, Texas.
M. D. Anderson
continues to offer programs for minority
audiences throughout the year and not just
during this observance week.
“Each year, we increase
the number of programs we have for specific
minority populations,” says Donaji Stelzig,
MPH, health education specialist in M. D.
Anderson’s Public Education Office.
Over the past two
years, Stelzig has partnered with
organizations such as Camaras de Empresarios
Latinos de Houston and the Houston Mexican
Embassy to organize cancer education events
for the Hispanic community. In the past six
months, these events have reached more than
3,300 Hispanics.
“Collaborating with
community organizations to organize programs
targeting specific minority populations
helps us to expand our reach and educate
audiences about the importance of cancer
prevention and screening practices,” said
Stelzig.
For more information on
Houston-area programs for minority audiences
and National Minority Cancer Awareness Week,
visit
www.mdanderson.org/cancerawareness.
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