UH Cancer Center hosts health equity forum on cancer survivorship
Cancer survivors, caregivers and healthcare providers invited to join discussions
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Cancer survivors living in rural areas face unique challenges in accessing healthcare, and this disparity in access can persist long after treatment. Survivors and their caregivers also often struggle with a variety of long-term challenges, while some primary care providers may be unaware of the specific needs of these patients.
To address these gaps, the UH Cancer Center, with support from Genentech and the Hawaiʻi Comprehensive Cancer Control Program of the Hawai‘i Department of Health, is hosting a health equity forum to facilitate discussions among cancer survivors, caregivers and healthcare providers.
“Don’t Be Left Behind: Moving Forward from Disparity to Equity,” a free forum on cancer survivorship, will be held at the UH Cancer Center’s Sullivan Conference Center, (701 Ilalo Street) on Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 pm. Open to cancer survivors, caregivers and clinicians, registration is required for attendees by October 28. Neighbor island residents can apply for travel scholarships to attend the forum. Continuing medical education (CME) credits for clinicians are pending. To register, visit at https://uhcancercenter.org/healthequity. For more information, contact Kaui Mau at smau@cc.hawaii.edu or (808) 441-3499.
“Health disparities in our islands impact cancer survival. Our goal for this meeting is to find solutions to mitigate these challenges by talking with people who have successfully faced these types of issues,” said Kevin Cassel, associate director of community outreach and engagement for the UH Cancer Center.
The health equity forum will feature local and national cancer experts addressing key topics. These topics will include the financial burden of cancer, transitional care after cancer treatment, access to supportive care services, and difficult topics such as intimacy and caregiver burnout.
The forum will also include opportunities for small-group discussions to explore solutions for cancer-care equity — to engage cancer survivors and caregivers from diverse backgrounds, as well as clinicians, to build mutual awareness and support.
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About the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawai‘i and the Pacific, and inspiring hope, by conquering cancer. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, with a focus on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
The UH Cancer Center contributes more than $57 million to Oʻahu's economy through scientific research, clinical trials and other activities. It is one of only 72 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawai‘i and the Pacific, representing a significant mark of excellence.
As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.
Learn more at https://www.uhcancercenter.org. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UHCancerCenter. Follow us on Twitter @UHCancerCenter.
About Genentech
Founded more than 45 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.
About the Hawai‘i Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
The Hawai‘i Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (HCCCP) is part of the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Management and Control Branch. The mission of HCCCP is to bring people together to coordinate cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, support, and research efforts to improve the quality of life for residents of Hawai‘i. The program’s vision is “No More Cancer” in Hawai‘i.
For more information, visit: https://uhcancercenter.org/healthequity