Cancer and Health Care Inequities
In 2025, the National Cancer Institute's Annual Report offered some encouraging statistics. From 2018 to 2022, cancer death rates decreased for men by an average of 1.7% and for women by an average by 1.3% (https://seer.cancer.gov/report_to_nation/ ). Another heartening trend is the decline in cancer deaths in the U.S. over 20 years. The waning cancer death rate continued through the COVID-19 pandemic and the multiple factors that challenged all health care, not just oncology treatment. The increase in survival rates offers hope and invites gratitude, especially when we look not at the generalities of statistics but at the individuals these numbers represent. Within that 1.7% of men, we find fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. Likewise, that 1.3% comprises mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. We celebrate each life represented by these factual numbers. However, the battle continues because cancer still exists and because someone's loved one got a new diagnosis today.
Globally, and here in America, we recognize that health care inequities (or disparities) play a role in cancer. Socioeconomic, gender, racial, cultural, and geographical health disparities are among the more commonly recognized. Health care inequities also closely align with the social determinants of health (SDOH). SDOHs include: economic stability, education, social and community context, healthcare access and quality, and neighborhood and physical environment (More is Needed to Address Social Determinants of Health ). In January 2026, the Office of Health Equity defined social determinants as: "the social, economic, and physical conditions in the environments where people live, work, and play." (Social Determinants of Health - Office of Health Equity).
Some aspects of healthcare disparities are best addressed at the city, county, state, and national levels of the government. But what can we as individuals do?
Be informed. Learn about health disparities and social determinants of health (I included a selection of links to reputable sources to get you started at the end of this blog). The more informed you are, the more easily you will see opportunities to be proactive.
Volunteer. One of my favorite volunteers is a grandmother in her seventies who volunteers with a local American Cancer Society office. She routinely speaks to church groups, sharing the importance of early cancer screening in a community that has a low level of access to and trust in health care systems.
Write letters to lawmakers. Several years ago, funding for rural access hospitals was in jeopardy in our state. Thankfully, our representatives and senators voted to keep, and even increase, funding for these vital community resources. Afterward, many of our legislators publicly credited the outpouring of letters written by individuals as the deciding factor in their vote.
Lead by example. Make time for your yearly check-ups, follow through on recommended screenings, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Your example may be the nudge of encouragement someone close to you needs!
We are seeing the results of years of research and excellent patient care in the improved survival rates of individuals with cancer. But until we find a cure, there is still much to accomplish! What will you do today to help address the health inequities in your community?
Resources
Factors Influencing Cancer Disparities | American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Healthcare disparities - ScienceDirect
Social determinants of health: What you need to know | Northwell Health
Cancer Disparities ACS Research Highlights | American Cancer Society
About Cancer Health Disparities - NCI
