Dr. Llanos on Recognizing Social Determinants of Disparities in Cancer Care

Adana A.M. Llanos, PhD, MPH, cancer and molecular epidemiologist, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, adjunct associate professor, Rutgers School of Public Health member, American Association for Cancer Research, member, American Public Health Association, member, American Society of Preventive Oncology, member, American Society of Clinical Oncology, member, African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium, discusses how to recognize social determinants of disparities in cancer care.

Although the biology and genetics do play a role with disparities in cancer care, it is important to recognize that social and structural determinants also factor into cancer screening, detections, treatment, and outcomes across different types of cancer, Llanos explains.

Focusing on the various time points throughout this continuum will help achieve more health equity and more equitable outcomes for a greater proportion of patients, Llanos adds. Addressing these disparities needs to be a major goal of long-term research in cancer, Llanos concludes.