Closing the Gaps in Cancer Screening: Insights from the President's Cancer Panel

Dr. Sands:
You're listening to Project Oncology on ReachMD. I'm Dr. Jacob Sands, and I recently had the chance to catch up with Dr. Edith Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell is a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology Director of the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities and the Associate Director of Diversity Affairs at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University.  She's also co-lead of the Health Equity Committee of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group and past President of the National Medical Association. Dr. Mitchell has been appointed to the President’s National Cancer Panel. Let’s listen in on what Dr. Mitchell has to share about what the President’s Cancer Panel is focusing on.

Dr. Mitchell:
In President Biden's address to the nation in early February, he wanted to decrease the cancer mortality rate by 50% in 25 years and all Americans could participate in that effort so that we no longer see cancer as we see it today. And that is involving a number of factors, including increased screening, early diagnosis and treatment, and continued research, and we want to do all of those things. Following the president's address, the President's Cancer Panel, which I am very fortunate to be a member of, released its report on closing the gaps in cancer screening in this country, and that report involves ideas and plans on first of all, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer and lung cancer.

Our listeners can receive a copy of the President's Cancer Panel report at presidentcancerpanel.gov, and you can obtain an electronic copy or a written copy. We want to increase cancer screening throughout the country for all individuals so that all individuals have access to care. So, thank you so much for this opportunity to discuss this with you where we can focus on screening for other cancers, but a focus this month on colorectal cancer screening during March, which is Colorectal Cancer Month. Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this program today, Dr. Sands.

Dr. Sands:
That was Dr. Edith Mitchell talking about the current focus of the President’s Cancer Panel. For ReachMD, I'm Dr. Jacob Sands. To hear my full conversation with Dr. Mitchell and to access other episodes in this series, visit ReachMD.com/Project-Oncology, where you can Be Part of the Knowledge. Thanks for listening!