Development of a Surgical Oncology Disparities Research Program

Building a better understanding of cancer disparities in order to address inequities in cancer outcomes in Wisconsin

Full Project Name:Development of a Surgical Oncology Disparities Research ProgramPrincipal Investigator:Callisia Clarke, MD, SurgeryCo-Investigator(s):Ugwuji Maduekwe, MD, Surgery
Anai Kothari, MD, SurgeryAward Amount:$1,091,200

Award Date

May2022

Project Duration:48 months

Project Summary:

Cancer disparities are a complex and persistent problem in Wisconsin and the United States. 2015-2019 data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute demonstrated that Black Wisconsin residents are diagnosed with cancer at a rate 22.2% higher than their White counterparts and die from these diagnoses 38.9% more frequently than White Wisconsin residents. American Indian/Alaskan Natives similarly have a 12% higher cancer incidence and 13% higher cancer mortality rates when compared to White Wisconsin residents.

This project will build the research expertise and data analytic infrastructure necessary to develop a research program that investigates the mechanisms underlying surgical oncology disparities at the population and epigenetic levels to inform effective interventions aimed at closing the gap. The results of this project will inform how to ameliorate inequities in cancer outcomes across Wisconsin.

Project Updates:

Engaged four additional investigators in the Advancing Cancer Equity in Surgery (ACES) program and have opened up the opportunity for other surgical oncology faculty to participate
Acquired multiple data sets to support the research goals of the ACES program and completed projects focused on gastric cancer using the National Cancer Database, which provided the analytic framework for using the dataset to understand the disease site of interest
Identified differences in PNET tumor epigenetic signatures by tumor aggressiveness, functionality, and patient-reported race
Disseminated project efforts through publications and multiple presentations at regional and national meetings