Research Can Help Close Cancer ...( Understanding the needs of minority c...),Health

Understanding the needs of minority communities is key, U.S. teams say

THURSDAY, Nov. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Collaborations between researchers and community groups can help ease cancer disparities among minority populations, researchers report.

They based their conclusions on the results of U.S. initiatives launched in Nashville, Tenn. and among the Navajo Nation.

Such partnerships between researchers and community groups can improve the quality of data collection, provide new insight into social factors/help, and result in sustained health improvements in disadvantaged populations, the scientists said.

The initiatives were to be outlined Thursday in Atlanta at an American Association for Cancer Research conference.

Like many communities across the United States, Nashville has experienced a large growth in its Hispanic population, a group whose health care needs are under-studied and not well documented in the academic literature. In response, a group of Nashville-area researchers partnered with community groups to survey the cancer care and prevention needs of more than 500 Hispanics, whose average age was 35. The information will be used in the development of future community programs and may help improve cancer prevention/care programs for local Hispanics.

Of the respondents, 98 percent were not born in the United States; more than half had emigrated from Mexico. The survey found that 80 percent of respondents didn't have health insurance, two-thirds hadn't completed high school, and 55 percent spoke little or no English.

Out of a list of 25 health topics, cancer was rated the top health concern. Almost 75 percent of respondents said they wanted to learn more about cancer prevention and just over half said they wanted more information on cancer screening. A large majority of respondents said they'd take part in a clinical trial to receive treatment if they had cancer. More than 90 percent of
'/>"/>