Medical College of Wisconsin
Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center

Cancer Disparities: Advancing Health Equity

The community we serve is home to large and underresourced populations who experience significant disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes. MCW Cancer Center scientists are working to uncover the factors driving these disparities and partner with community groups who can help us solve them.
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The Connection Between Redlining, Race, Bias, and Breast Cancer

MCW Cancer Center’s Kirsten Beyer, PhD, MPH, MS, and a team of investigators are conducting research to understand how neighborhood characteristics (such as socioeconomic status, racial segregation, home ownership and walkability) influence cancer rates and levels of survivorship.

Learn about the study
doctor with x-ray

Transgender and Nonbinary People, and Providers, Benefit from Better Awareness of Screening Guidelines

Screenings help catch cancer early, resulting in more promising health outcomes. While the transgender and nonbinary population is growing, the majority are unsure of when and whether to be screened. A new study points to the need for greater cancer education and care.

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Researching looking at geospatial cancer map

MCW Researchers Identify Link Between Mortgage Lending Bias and Increased Breast Cancer Mortality

A first-of-its-kind nationwide study examined the relationship between contemporary mortgage lending bias and breast cancer survival. Results show that women residing in more heavily redlined areas experience worse survival outcomes.

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Understanding Cancer Disparities

Cancer disparities persist in Wisconsin and throughout the United States with data showing populations impacted most negatively include racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and people reporting low socioeconomic status. Drivers of disparities are complex and reflect multi-faceted and interacting determinants including policy, sociodemographic factors, healthcare access and lifestyle behaviors.
By working with community stakeholders to identify needs and addressing those needs through our scientific research and community outreach and engagement programs, we will reduce the cancer burden among those most impacted.
two women talking
Our investigators are examining how policies related to health care access, housing, and tobacco use (among other factors) impact cancer outcomes; in addition to researchers who are actively working with members of the community to better understand how health behaviors affect cancer prevention, treatment response and survivorship.