Heather Taffet Gold, Ph.D.

Why do some patients receive optimal radiotherapy and others don’t? With a $727,000 grant, Heather Taffet Gold, Ph.D. at Cornell University Medical College will analyze disparities and treatment outcomes among women with early breast cancer.

Dr. Gold’s research will use economics and survey research to analyze variations in treatment outcomes for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). She will examine how geography, socioeconomic factors, disease stage, and treatment are related to recovery.

“Studying the medically underserved populations is important to me because they have the voices that aren't heard in the policy debate and in clinical care,” she said. “My research is a way for me to stand up to injustice and improve people's lives.”

Ductal carcinoma in situ is the most common kind of non-invasive breast cancer. Nationwide, about 60,000 cases are diagnosed each year.

Dr. Gold hopes to find out where the breakdown in quality care occurs—why some patients receive optimal radiotherapy and others don't. She hopes her research will identify more specific problems in access to quality care.

Although this is her first American Cancer Society research grant, Dr. Gold was formerly employed in the Society’s national government relations office. The experience led her to go back to school for a doctorate and focus on health care disparities and clinical cost effectiveness.

A resident of Mamaroneck, New York, Dr.Gold believes that the study results will be used to eliminate inequities in care and minimize costs to the health care system.

For more information about American Cancer Society research visit Research Central.