On Monday June 3, 2024, I had the opportunity to attend the Pfizer Oncology Health Care Equity Summit: Models for Collaboration and Community Action by Conquer Cancer's EveryGrant®.
After being welcomed by Dr Katherine Reeder-Hayes, we heard from Dr Aida Habtezion, Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer. After reviewing the representation by race and ethnicity in clinical trials in the US, Dr Habtezion highlighted Pfizers committment to health equity in oncology.
Next, a panel of presenters including advocate Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, shared their research and experience reaching underrepresented patients.
Brian Rivers, PhD, MPH (Morehouse School of Medicine) spoke on the Deep South Community Health Advocates Network . The Network recruits and trains lay advocates/navigators as community health workers to disseminate cancer information on risk reduction, screening, survivorship and clinical trial participation. He also spoke on a project to improve access to primary care and promote education and preventive screenings for prostate cancer among rural African American men.
Shoshana Rosenberg, ScD, MPH (Weill Cornell Medical College) spoke on the unmet psychosocial needs among adults with metastatic breast cancer in New York City. She described the intervention RAISE,which uses an employment screening tool to assist with the employment challenges experienced by metastatic breast cancer patients treated at NYP-Weill Cornell Medicine (Manhattan) and Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.
Kamran Ansari, MS Pfizer Oncology division spoke on Pfizer's approach to clinical trial diversity
Sharon Rivera-Sanchez, patient advocate and founder of Trials of Color spoke on the barriers to participation in clinical trials such as logistic and financial barriers, lack of awareness of trials, eligibility criteria, mistrust and the complexity of clinical trial platforms. Solutions include education, building relationships, simplifying enrollment, inclusive eligibility, and child care support. Her final remark needs highlighting!
Kenneth W. Merrell, MD, Medical Director Global Bridges, shared the mission of Global Bridges to mobilize a global network of healthcare professionals and organizations dedicated to advancing effective diagnosis and treatment through medical education. The progam has training 50,000 Health Care Providers in 85 countries. They have provided 17 grants in oncology in the 2024-2026 cycle in Africa.
Yanin Chavarri Guerra, MD, MSc Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubriran , Mexico spoke on the social determinants of health and disparities in cancer care for patients with metastatic breast cancer in Mexico. Patients were recruited from 3 hospitals. The barriers related to social determinants of health in patients with metastatic breast cancer may be addressed by system-level interventions.
Salvatore Alesci, MD, PhD, National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) shared the NMQF vision to achieve a just and fair American health system that insures equitable access to optimal care.
Andrew E. Chapman, DO, FACP, FCPP Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson concluded the panel discussion . He discussed how the ACES model ( Access and Care Engagement Support) can transform cancer care at the cancer center's main and regional sites.
One of the best parts of attending ASCO are the connections and reconnections I make with other advocates and researchers. This year I was able to catch a few of those connections in photos. Great times with Barbara, Helen, Stacey, Stephanie, Ting Ting, and Annie.
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But there were also the important connections with clinicians and researchers I have worked with through the years on developing trials, the #gyncsm community, ASCO or the NCI and Cancer Hope Network. It was wonderful meeting Drs Markham and Samantha Schrager (Cancer Hope Network), Cervical Cancer Advocate Linda Ryan and Dr Kohn, as well as Dr Dellinger, Lou, and Dizon.
I also got to reconnect with Dr Ophira Ginsburg at the President's Reception. We first met at the ASCO Annual Meeting in 2015.
This post completes my reporting from #ASCO24. There will be a bit of a break posting on this blog and from advocacy over the summer but September - Gyn Cancer Awareness month is right around the corner.
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