SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY CANCER COALITION
Mission
To intervene and reduce cancer deaths among the underserved communities of Sacramento. The coalition utilizes a community-based model applied over the entire continuum of care for those at risk as well as those diagnosed with cancer through our efforts. The coalition shall also act as an advocate for patient rights as applies to the provision of culturally competent information for full informed decision-making among the newly diagnosed with cancer.
Purpose
Cancer disproportionately impacts on the underserved in our community. Although not exclusive to the African American population, it comprises a significant portion of the underserved and has been the most studied in the medical literature analyzing the relationship of race and cancer prognosis. African Americans demonstrate the greatest disparities in cancer incidence and death rates when compared to Caucasians. Cancer death rates among African American men are 35% higher than Caucasian while for African American women the comparative is 18% higher. Cancer as a cause of death is second to heart disease among African Americans, however among U.S. Asian Pacific Islanders, cancer is the leading cause of death. Breast cancer rates in U.S. Asian women are 60% higher than those found in the women’s native countries whereas liver cancer rates are at least twice that of U.S. Caucasians, implicating diet and lifestyle.