ASO Education and Training: Taking the Next Step in Surgical Oncology Health Disparities Research: Identifying Root...

The Society of Surgical Oncology and its membership are committed to reducing and eliminating cancer disparities. Over the past several decades, plentiful research has identified marginalized populations who are at an elevated risk of developing cancer, are less likely to receive recommended cancer screenings and guideline-concordant care, and populations who have inferior oncologic outcomes after cancer treatment. Despite monumental strides in improving cancer outcomes, cancer disparities unfortunately remain a reality. Continued strategic efforts are needed to identify the root causes of these disparities and develop interventions to ensure equitable cancer care for all patients. This monumental task requires multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary team collaboration, input from community and patient stakeholders, investments from healthcare and hospital administrative leadership, and financial sponsorship to ensure sustainability. In this review, we discuss tools that surgical oncologists can use in developing programs and interventions to champion eliminating cancer disparities to ensure equitable oncologic outcomes for all patients at risk or diagnosed with cancer.