The Color of Cancer:
U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center works to eliminate racial, ethnic health disparities, con't
What Can You Do?
We asked our researchers what patients
can do to help prevent health disparities.
Here's what they said.
- If you don't understand something -- or you want to understand something
better -- ask your doctor to explain it again. If you're feeling rushed, ask your
doctor to slow down.
- Bring someone with you to your appointment so you can compare notes
and discuss your situation later.
- Speak up about how you're feeling. If you're experiencing pain, make sure you
tell your doctor.
- Join an advocacy group to help educate members of your community about
cancer.
- Participate in a U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center Community Outreach event.
SMALL CHANGES, BIG GAINS
Arden Morris, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of surgery at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center,
conducted a study of Medicare patients
with colorectal cancer that showed that
African-Americans were 23 percent less
likely than whites to receive chemotherapy
after surgery. All had access to care through
Medicare. Whites and African-Americans
were equally likely to see an oncologist
after surgery, but African-Americans did
not go on to receive chemotherapy.
Morris conducted a focus group in Detroit with African-Americans and whites,
and preliminary results show that even though neither group fully understood
why chemotherapy was recommended, whites were more likely to go ahead with it anyway. African-Americans wanted to
understand why they needed more treatment
before deciding to proceed with
chemotherapy.
With this new information, Morris said, a simple intervention can be developed.
Doctors could be trained to have patients repeat back their recommendations after a
conversation to prevent misunderstandings. Over time, this may help doctors improve
the way they communicate with patients.
"I think a lot of providers would be stunned to hear what patients believe," Morris said. "I really believe providers want
to provide the best care. The problem is, they don't realize how little patients are taking away from the conversation."
