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:

Continued bi-monthly strategic planning meetings with other investigators, leading to several collaborations within the Advancing Cancer Equity in Surgery (ACES) program
Acquired multiple data sets to support the research goals of the ACES program and improved access to select Wisconsin-based datasets to expedite the research timeline for approval of new projects
Expanding study of PNET tumor epigenetic signatures to a larger cohort of patients to further understanding of disparities in surgical oncology outcomes
Disseminated project efforts through 13 publications and eight presentations at regional and national meetings
Leveraged over $135,000 to continue project efforts and actively using the project’s infrastructure to support additional grant applications to further enhance study of disparities in surgical oncology outcomes