Removing barriers to cancer care in underserved communities

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Researchers have made tremendous progress in cancer prevention and treatment over the past few decades. As a result, the death rates for many common cancers are declining in the U.S.1 Unfortunately, not everyone is benefitting from these breakthroughs. 

Health disparities exist worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought them to the forefront. Underserved communities face barriers that others do not as they navigate cancer diagnosis and care.

Some of these barriers are logistical, such as the ability to take time off work to seek care. Other challenges are communication-based, including language barriers, low health literacy and lack of trust between patients and physicians.2,3 

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Dany Habr, MD
Senior vice president, Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Oncology
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