Equity in What We Do
MCC strives for equity in our science, our teaching and learning, and in our engagement with communities.
Addressing cancer disparities
New opportunities come up all of the time to address cancer disparities in our communities and by the wide range of people involved in cancer careers. We aim to welcome, promote, and advance such work by and for people who are under-served and under-represented.
2021-2025 The Isbaar Project "Reducing cervical cancer screening disparities in Somali immigrant women through a primary care based HPV self-sampling intervention."In a partnership between University of Washington, the University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview and People's Center Clinics and Services, this study will assess the implementation of an HPV self-sampling intervention in primary care that is culturally-tailored for Somali women and designed to increase cervical cancer screening participation. MCC members involved: PI: Rebekah Pratt, PhD; Co-investigators: Rahel Ghebre, MD, MPH; Sophia Yohe, MD
Health promotion, health disparities education, and cancer screenings into the Latinx, Hmong, Somali, African American, American Indian Communities, and greater/rural Minnesota for the most common cancers as well as the cancers of higher incidence in Minnesota:
- Lung (American Indians, Rural: Mesothelioma-driven)
- Colon (all BIPOC)
- Female Breast (Rural non-Hispanic white for # of cases; African American Women for mortality rate)
- Prostate (African American Men)
- Cervical Cancer (American Indian, African American, Hmong, Hispanic, Somali)
- Childhood Leukemia
- Melanoma (Rural and Greater Minnesota)
Equitable Access to Services, Research, and Clinical Trials
The Cancer Protocol Review Committee (CPRC) gives input on the trial's impact. The CPRC reviews the inclusion and exclusion criteria to avoid inadvertent bias or unnecessary exclusivity, and provide added insight to adjustments that could improve the recruitment potential of more diverse participants on the trial or research study.
Engaging the community through Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) together with M Health Fairview and other clinical partners to collaboratively prioritize needs and opportunities to create culturally-responsive, equity-minded innovations.
The Minnesota Department of Health has the Sage Cancer Screening Program to provide access to services.
The Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) aims to improve cancer outcomes for all Minnesotans through greater access to cancer clinical trials in prevention and treatment. MNCCTN is led by the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota and brings together healthcare organizations across the state. Together, we aim to improve cancer outcomes for all Minnesotans.
Learn About Cancer
The Masonic Cancer Center puts on a series of Events and Seminars, often relevant to under-represented communities. MCC also maintains Cancer Education Online Learning resources, and contributes to resources from the Minnesota Cancer Alliance and the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network.
Health Equity Seminars, hosted by the University of Minnesota Medical School, often feature cancer center members and topics.
MCC Videos, including Fireside Chats, seminar series, and information often feature equity, diversity and inclusion topics. For instance, in 2022 MCC hosted a webinar about Black Advocacy in the Cancer Space (1 hour video) Featuring: David Haynes, PhD, Kiara Ellis, MSW and Shaunequa B. James MSW, LGSW Gilda’s Club Twin Cities, Reona Berry, African American Breast Cancer Alliance, and Benita Robinson, CHW, Health Program Representative / SAGE screening programs, Cancer Control Section, Minnesota Department of Health. MCC hosted the National Tribal Tobacco Conference at the University of Minnesota on May 16-17, 2022. For more events and information, see the MCC’s YouTube page.
Screening, Patient and Survivor resources
Patient information and clinical trials. MCC Cancer Survivorship Program.
MCC Cancer Education Online Learning resources.