Advancing Health Equity
Cancer does not affect every population or community in the same way. Differences in cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment and survival are influenced by a mix of factors, including biology, access to care, environmental exposures, social and economic conditions, and the places where people live.
At the MCW Cancer Center, researchers partner with communities to better understand how these conditions affect cancer outcomes. Community input helps investigators identify research questions that reflect the experiences and priorities of populations affected by cancer disparities.
Researchers use advanced resources through the Geospatial, Epidemiology and Outcomes Shared Resource, which provides expertise in epidemiology, data analysis, geospatial approaches and population-based cancer research.
These methods have allowed investigators to study how neighborhood conditions influence cancer outcomes. For example, Cancer Center researchers found that historical mortgage lending bias was associated with poorer breast cancer survival among older women in the United States.
Mapping Cancer Outcomes and Risk Across Communities
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.
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.