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New Research Shows Marginalized Groups Are The Most Vulnerable to Cancer

Francesca Rome-Marie | FrancescaRomeMarie.net

By Francesca Rome-MariePublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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https://francescaromemarie.net/new-research-shows-marginalized-groups-are-the-most-vulnerable-to-cancer/

The AACR released its annual report on cancer disparities, highlighting the various health conditions that disproportionately affect minority groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community and racial and ethnic minorities.

The organization found that the medical community isn’t doing enough to address these issues. The report found that cancer rates in the Black community are lower than in white neighborhoods but have higher mortality rates than in other ethnic and racial groups. It also noted that cervical cancer rates are significantly higher in Alaska Native and Native American women.

Cancer in the LGBTQ+ Community

There is currently a lack of data on how cancer affects the health of the LGBTQ community, a significant issue that needs to be addressed. Despite the lack of data, researchers have noted that discrimination and implicit bias against the LGBTQ community is still prevalent in the healthcare industry. More research is needed to understand how the issue affects the trans community. For instance, research shows that men are more likely to object to having their cervical cancer screenings.

Inequities Lead to Cancer

The prevalence of racial and cultural discrimination in the healthcare system is no surprise. A person’s socioeconomic status, education, and environment affect their health. Uninsured patients, high-priced prescriptions, and inadequate hospitals can lead to social and structural inequities in the healthcare system that can affect a person’s cancer mortality rate. According to the report, follow-up care is less likely to be provided in marginalized communities due to various factors such as lack of insurance, miscommunication with providers, and bias in the system. In addition, Latinx and African-American patients are more likely to skip their medications due to the high cost of treatment.

Possible Solutions

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations have urged the federal and local governments to expand the availability of high-speed internet access to cancer patients in low-income and rural areas. This would allow them to receive better treatment and improve their health outcomes.

Despite the lack of a comprehensive solution to the racial and cultural issues that can affect the development of cancer, the experts who worked on the report noted that one of the most critical steps that can be taken to improve the quality of cancer care is by increasing the number of people of color participating in clinical trials.

To improve the involvement of minority groups, the experts suggested that health educators reach out to communities through town halls, church meetings, and other health centers. Researchers also noted that African-American and Latinx cancer patients should be aware of the importance of taking their medication as they are more likely to skip their doses due to financial concerns.

ABOUT FRANCESCA ROME-MARIE

Based in Rome, Italy, Francesca Rome-Marie is a compassionate and dedicated healthcare professional who has spent her life building a career in the service of others. She works in areas focused on health, humanitarian aid, and human development particularly focused on the nonprofit/not-for-profit sectors doing work in underserved and marginalized communities.

Throughout her career, Francesca Rome-Marie’s work and experience have helped her to develop skills in multiple areas. Her experience includes family medicine, nursing, family nursing, primary care, community health, mental health, global health, medicine, research, reproductive health, preventative medicine, and family nursing. She is also skilled in areas that include human rights activism, crisis counselling, sexuality education, gender theory, gender studies, cross-cultural communication skills, humanitarian assistance and intervention, interpersonal communication, nonprofit organizations, and disaster response, recovery, and preparedness. She is also known for her collaborative problem-solving abilities and disaster risk reduction capabilities.

Francesca Rome-Marie has developed a particular passion for work in areas regarding sexuality and gender as well as refugees, forced displacement, health, and rights. She is especially focused on improving access to care, visibility, and research while implementing programs dedicated to vulnerable populations, including women, girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, and sex workers, including any individuals who overlap between the three. She has worked previously doing research on LGBTQI needs within the humanitarian sphere.

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About the Creator

Francesca Rome-Marie

A dually board certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner with a Masters in Disaster Management, Francesca Rome-Marie's professional focus lies at the intersection of health and identity. Learn more at francescaromemarie.org!

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