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Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Grantee: Michael Hassett, MD, MPH
Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston
Area of Focus: Cancer Control
Grant Term: 7/1/2018 to 6/30/2021
Research has shown that disparities in cancer care exist for people who are African American, have low incomes, and who live in rural areas. But few studies have looked at whether race, income level, or location might affect the possibility of recurrence, when cancer returns after it’s been treated. That’s largely because cancer registries that collect and store information about patients who have been diagnosed with cancer haven’t routinely asked doctors to report information about recurrence.
Michael Hassett, MD, MPH, and his team developed a set of tools that works with databases of health records determine which patients had a recurrence of breast, lung, and colon cancer – three of the most common types of cancer.
Hassett’s team will use those tools to see whether race or ethnicity, income, or living in a rural area affects recurrence rates. They’ll also look at whether the type of hospital where people received cancer care makes a difference.
Hassett’s work may help others develop ways to address the health disparities that disadvantaged groups with cancer face.