First Cancer Health Equity Symposium Convened to Find Solutions to Disparities in Diagnosis, Treatment and Research

Embracing the idea that knowledge is power and can save lives, the National Cancer Institute-designated Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center recently hosted its first Cancer Health Equity Symposium, an educational and cultural day that featured discussions between community members, doctors, researchers, students and volunteers aimed at reducing cancer health disparities for underrepresented groups.

More than 120 people attended the day at the Price Center on Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s campus in the Bronx, including leaders from the University of Pittsburgh’s Hillman Cancer Center and representatives from sponsoring partner Genentech (a biotech company), along with Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. The event provided an open forum for sharing local findings and working toward meaningful solutions around disparities in cancer diagnosis, treatment and research. Just as important, it created a safe and open space to gather input on the best ways to share these findings more broadly.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson enthusiastically addressed the audience to express her appreciation and support of Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s health equity mission for the Bronx and stayed for the presentation on the groundbreaking research being conducted in the field.

“This was a unique opportunity to engage our community about the care Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center provides,” said Balazs Halmos, MD, MS, Director, Thoracic Oncology, and Associate Director, Clinical Science, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center. “But we always want to do better. And that’s where this dialogue pushes us in potentially new directions.”

A major focus of the day was on cancer research, specifically advancing diversity among clinical trial participants. Genetic factors linked to race, ethnicity, gender and age, along with various social determinants of health, can affect an individual’s predisposition to certain cancers, influence the characteristics and trajectory of the disease, and impact how they respond to particular medications and therapies. If trials are not diverse, researchers risk missing critical information about cancer therapy outcomes in large groups of patients.

“The symposium was an opportunity both to optimize care locally and to learn globally,” said Dr. Halmos.

“The power to transform the stigma around clinical trials is rooted in our ability to learn from and engage the community,” added Alyson B. Moadel-Robblee, PhD, Deputy Director, Community Engagement and Cancer Health Equity, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health, Radiation Oncology, Medicine, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Founding Director, Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

A stimulating exchange of information and ideas took place via multiple forums, including formal presentations, research posters and lunch table discussion.

Access was facilitated through free transportation for community members via rideshare service to and from the event, which included lunch, a salsa dance performance by Einstein research students and BOLD intern Stevens Patino, BA, and partner Isabel Vasquez, BA, MS, and a social mixer after the presentations concluded.
 

The day also included a panel of cancer survivors and their loved ones, now serving as BOLD Buddy patient navigators through Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s award-winning Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) program, who took the stage to share their personal experiences with cancer and clinical trials.

“I was quite moved by hearing about their experiences and their cancer journeys and what it has meant for them,” said Adebola A. Adedimeji, PhD, MBA, MPH, MS, Associate Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Division Head and Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health (Health Behavior Research & Implementation Science), Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Many of us, even though we’ve done research in that area, were very struck by hearing their personal stories.”

The symposium co-sponsor, Genentech AIR, selected Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center as one of only five cancer centers nationwide to be part of the AIR Consortium focused on reducing barriers to clinical cancer research.

Montefiore Einstein presenters at the event included:

• Edward Chu, MD, MMS, Vice President, Cancer Medicine, Montefiore Medicine, Director, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Interim Chair, Department of Oncology, Professor, Oncology, Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, and Carol and Roger Einiger Professor of Cancer Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
• Anne R. Bresnick, PhD, Associate Director, Cancer Research Training and Education, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Associate Dean, Postdoctoral Affairs, Director, Belfer Institute for Advanced Biomedical Studies, and Professor, Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
• Neel P. Chudgar, MD, Associate Director, Clinical and Translational Research, Thoracic Surgery, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, Attending Physician, Montefiore Einstein, and Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
• John M. Greally, MD, PhD, Co-Director, New York Center for Rare Diseases, Montefiore Einstein; Director, Center for Epigenomics, Clinical Geneticist, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Einstein; Chief, Genomics, and Professor, Genetics, Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
• Damara N. Gutnick, MD, Internist, Montefiore Einstein, and Clinical Professor, Epidemiology & Population Health (Health Behavior Research & Implementation Science), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine;
• Hilda A. Haynes-Lewis, NP, Nurse Practitioner, Adult Health, Genitourinary (GU) Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Brain Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Learn more about taking part in clinical trials through the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center.