Cancer Care Equity Program

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Contact the Cancer Care Equity Program

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Contact the Cancer Care Equity Program

We aim to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes among marginalized local communities and become a national model for translating disparities research into clinical interventions.

Established in January 2012, the Cancer Care Equity Program (CCEP) aims to place Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at the forefront of efforts to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes for historically marginalized groups locally, in the Greater Boston area, as well as become a national model for translating cancer equity research into interventions.

The Role of the CCEP Is to

  • Facilitate clinical access to Dana-Farber’s spectrum of preventive medicine, treatment, and clinical trials
  • Partner with Community Benefits Office to enhance and expand Dana-Farber’s community outreach and educational programs
  • Initiate and unite cancer equity research across Dana-Farber

Through these efforts, the CCEP broadens access to historically marginalized patient populations and joins our community partners in the pursuit of equitable care across the spectrum of cancer-related disease.

Cancer Disparities in Boston

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  • Cancer mortality rates are concentrated in neighborhoods challenged by the social determinants of health.
  • LGBTQ respondents are more likely to be smokers than heterosexual/non-transgender respondents.
  • Cancer remains the leading cause of death in Boston.
  • Asian men experience significantly higher rates of premature mortality due to liver cancer relative to white men.
  • Black women under age 65 have a mortality rate from all cancers that is significantly higher than their White counterparts.
  • Asian men have the highest lung cancer mortality.
  • Compared to White men, the mortality rate for Black men is statistically significantly higher for all cancers.
  • Language barriers and lack of cultural competency among providers as well as institutional racism are challenges for patients of color and immigrants.
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Clinical trials education
Nursing
Disparities research
Diagnostic clinics
Health equity reporting
Community collaboration
Equity and access
Community education
Lung cancer screening
Survivorship
Patient navigation
Cancer care equity
Clinical outreach

Source: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Community Needs Assessment 2020-2023.

What Some of Our Patients Are Saying

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Mary L., Patient

"When I was diagnosed with cancer, I went through a time when I couldn't explain to anyone how I felt. […] I lost my job because I was so sick. I was in depression and I didn't tell anyone what was happening. I was living homeless. And I thought that I needed better for myself, so I called my family in Boston and I came [to Dana-Farber]. When I met Ludmila [Nurse Director], I felt hopeful and she was navigating everything for me — making all the phone calls and contacting everybody and making sure that I got the help that I needed, and understanding what I was going through. That brought it home to me because I don't have to say much for her to understand. She cares. They understand. People understand. Somebody understands."
Watch Mary tell her story of the care and support she received at Dana-Farber

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Bruce B., Patient

"You all saved my life. Literally saved my life. Even though you didn't find cancer, you were so thorough and followed-up on everything and found a life-threatening condition. You are the best."