ACS & Pfizer Award Grant to VCU Massey Cancer Center

The American Cancer Society and Pfizer have awarded a grant for nearly $400,000 to Kathy Tossas, PhD, MS at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center to address racial disparities in colorectal and cervical cancer in Richmond and Southside Virginia. This grant is one of 10 grants around the country focused on reducing racial disparities and helping optimize cancer outcomes for Black men and women. The goal is to address systemic race-related barriers and disparities in the delivery of care that impact outcomes across all cancer types. In all, the grants total more than $3.7 million.

With 56% of colorectal cancers (CRC) diagnosed at later stages, Virginia remains one of three enduring CRC mortality hotspots in the US. The same goes for cervical cancers (CCa), with 48% diagnosed at later stages. Mortality for these preventable cancers is worse for Blacks relative to White Virginians. Mortality can be averted with equitable access to screening and timely diagnostic follow-up, but systemic barriers such as fractured referral systems and extended time between medical visits remain. VCU Massey Cancer Center’s Office of Health Equity and Disparities Research proposes to implement a quality improvement initiative at five federally qualified health centers in southcentral Virginia to identify systemic and address race-related barriers to CRC and CCa screening and diagnostic follow-up using evidence-based approaches.

The grants, funded by Pfizer Global Medical Grants and overseen by the American Cancer Society, are part of the Addressing Racial Disparities in Cancer Care Competitive Grant Program, a three-year collaboration working to promote equity in cancer outcomes for Black men and women.

Cancer is a disease that affects everyone, but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Blacks experience more illness, worse outcomes, and premature death compared to whites in the United States. Further, African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the United States for most cancers. Black men also have the highest cancer incidence.

“We welcome this opportunity to partner with Virginia Commonwealth University on this grant at a time when racism is at the center of our national conversation to reduce disparities and strive for equity in the delivery of cancer care,” said Megan Wessel, Vice President, Cancer Control for the American Cancer Society.

Many factors significantly impact a person's ability to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Factors like a person's income, education, their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, their disability status, or where they live, work, and play can affect the choices a person makes, but more importantly can affect a person's opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

“We are thrilled to receive this award and humbled by the trust and enthusiastic participation of the partnering federally qualified health centers and community organizations. Federally qualified health centers are at the helm, in the quest for health equity, providing primary health care for all, regardless of their ability to pay. Community organizations are dedicated and enduring advocates for their neighborhoods. Partnering with them to identify and boldly address systemic, race-related barriers to colon and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic follow-up care, was a clear choice. Together, we will hold each other accountable, ensure the community’s intelligence is represented, and break from the common consciousness that might have contributed to the problem of inequitable access to cancer care, to co-create improved, sustainable solutions. As the cancer center FOR Virginia, we are natural allies in the quest to halt cancer, speak truth to power, and bend the arc towards cancer health equity,” said Dr. Kathy Tossas.

In a highly competitive process, each applicant was asked to provide local solutions to local problems across the cancer continuum. The awardees will pursue a variety of efforts, from cancer screening to support in cancer survivorship, for Black men and women that could otherwise go unserved.

About The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is attacking cancer from every angle. The Society does not endorse any product or service. For more information go to www.cancer.org