Black in Cancer: Championing Diversity in Cancer Research and Medicine

Abstract

Summary: Black in Cancer was designed to strengthen networks and highlight Black excellence in cancer research and medicine. Here we expound on our actions to increase the representation of Black people in cancer-related fields.

Knight Scholars Program: A Tiered Three-Year Mentored Training Program for Urban and Rural High School High School Students Increases Interest and Self-Efficacy in Interprofessional Cancer Research

“…Underrepresentation is observed within college fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as well as STEM-related professions ( Boekeloo et al, 2015 ; Duffus et al, 2014 ; Valentine and Collins, 2015 ). A lack of diversity is also seen in cancer-specific research ( Henderson and Bell, 2021 ). For example, individuals from underrepresented racial and geographic groups experience a significantly higher risk of cancer ( Hamel et al, 2016 ; Henley and Jemal, 2018 ), yet participation in clinical trials is dramatically lower for underrepresented racial/ethnic groups and rural populations compared to that of Whites or those from more urban locations ( Hamel et al, 2016 ; Salmon et al, 2016 ).…”

Wearing the White Coat on the Web: An M1 Perspective

“…In addition to showcasing physician life, social media enriches our careers, allowing health care professionals and students to meet each other, advocate, share papers, and discuss public health. In the oncology world, social media has forged organizations such as Black in Cancer, which connects and funds Black cancer researchers 2 ; its cofounders, Sigourney Bell and Henry Henderson, formed the organization over Twitter, years before meeting each other in person.…”

Black in Cancer: Two Years of Empowering the Next Generation

“…At the onset of this organization following our inaugural BIC week, we published a perspective piece in Cancer Discovery in which we outlined our goals for the future of our organization (7). Based on that vision, BIC was split into three distinct programs, the Cancer Awareness Project (CAP), the Mentorship and Outreach Program (MOP), and the Sponsorships and Partnerships (SP) program.…”