Community to Molecular Approaches in Early Screening and Diagnosis to Promote Equitable Outcomes Through the Continuum of Care in Cancer Among Populations of African Ancestry

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PROJECT SUMMARY The African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) is a Global Oncology Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center and plays a unique role by addressing cancer disparities involving African American, Caribbean and African immigrants in the United States (U.S.) and their counterparts in native countries. AC3 membership is trans- disciplinary (basic and population science researchers, clinicians, and cancer advocates) and consists of three interconnected networks (U.S., Caribbean and Africa). Our 2023 conference theme: “Community to Molecular Approaches in Early Screening and Diagnosis to Promote Equitable Outcomes Through the Continuum of Care in Cancer Among Populations of African Ancestry” reflects the trans-disciplinary makeup of our membership. Also, as we have achieved in prior conferences, our 2023 conference organizing committees, speakers and audiences will fully reflect the diversity of our membership. In the U.S. and worldwide, cancer kills more Blacks than any other racial/ethnic group. A great number of premature cancer deaths also occur in predominantly Black nations in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Cancer research in Black populations remains profoundly lacking not only in the US but also in Black dominant countries in Africa and the Caribbean. The number of biomedical research publications from Africa and the Caribbean are increasing, but disparities remain for research articles focused on cancer. Black scientists are also grossly underrepresented among NCI grant recipients. Therefore, an international cadre of well-trained Black scientists increases the much needed diversity among global cancer researchers. Considering the diversity of the U.S. Black population, cancer research in the Caribbean and Africa is inclusive and also essential for addressing cancer disparities in the U.S. This equitable approach to research will be most beneficial in the U.S. as these studies are critical to inform and improve interventions, treatment and prevention of cancers among all U.S. Blacks. The AC3 Scientific and Training Conference is therefore justified, timely and useful. Our cancer-focused training, scientific exchange and collaboration planning workshops will be a boon to the AC3 efforts to accelerate cancer research, advance careers of Black scientists and provides innovative opportunities to study cancer disparities that impact Blacks in the US. The following are the Specific Aims: 1) To enhance diversity by providing professional development, education and scientific training, to strengthen health disparities research, skills and competencies among underrepresented and underserved early stage investigators and students. 2) To facilitate knowledge exchange of the science of cancer among African-descent populations, and increase research development and the coordination of research studies in Black populations. 3) To promote health equity by providing scientifically rigorous, and clinically and culturally informed research for greater community benefit in order to improve knowledge, awareness of cancer risk, strategies for cancer risk reduction and prevention.