OKLAHOMA CITY – Nov. 9, 2020 – Cancer patients and survivors continue to experience potentially serious health care delays during the pandemic, and tomorrow leadership across Oklahoma will shine a light on the disparities affecting Native Americans’ cancer outcomes.
Native Americans often lack access to clinical trials and data sovereignty. According to the University of Oklahoma’s Stephenson Cancer Center, Native Americans in Oklahoma have an overall incidence rate that is 1.4 times higher than the United States (all races) rate. Oklahoma has the highest age-adjusted Native American cancer incidence rate for all cancers of any state.
The seventh annual policy forum, to be hosted online by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, comes after a new survey indicated more than a quarter (26%) of cancer patients and survivors reported delays in their cancer care because of coronavirus. When looking at respondents in active treatment for their cancer, the number increased to nearly one in three (32%).
WHO:
Dr. Jessica W. Blanchard, the University of Oklahoma
Tamela K. Cannady, Director of Preventative Health, Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority
Dr. Mark P. Doescher, Stephenson Cancer Center
Jacque Secondine Hensley, Director of American Indians in Medicine and Science, OSU Center for Health Sciences
Dr. Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Dr. Dorothy A. Rhoades, Stephenson Cancer Center
Justin Wood, Principal Chief, Sac and Fox Nation
WHAT: Native American Health Disparities and the Impact of Cancer
WHERE: http://acscan.windrosemedia.com/
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.