Current Projects

Training

Faculty

Other Resources

About CSUF

Department of Health Science

Home

Welcome to the Center for Cancer Disparities Research

The Center for Cancer Disparities Research at California State University Fullerton was established in 2006 to address the increasing burden of health disparities, especially in cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of death, with nearly 1 in 4 people dying of cancer (American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures, 2006). In 2006, there is expected to be nearly 2.4 million new cases of cancer (both invasive and noninvasive), with an expected 564,830 deaths, nearly 1,500 deaths a day (ACS, CFF, 2006). In California alone, there is expected to be 56,000 deaths this year due to cancer (ACS, CFF, 2006).

While cancer impacts us all, the burden has been particularly high among racial/ethnic minority groups. Overall, African Americans are more likely to develop and die from cancer(ACS, CFF, 2006). The death rate among African American males is 40% higher and for African American females 18% higher. Asian American and Pacific Islander men are three times as likely as white men to have liver cancer (in 1998-2002) (ACS, CFF, 2006). Hispanic/Latina women have the highest incidence rate for cervical cancer (ACS, CFF, 2006). These are just a few examples of the health disparities in cancer. Numerous reasons contribute to these health disparities, such as access to care, lack of insurance, availability of quality care and treatment, language barriers, and poverty. CSUF’s Center for Cancer Disparities Research was developed to address these issues and to build partnerships in the community.

Center Mission: To promote scholarship and creative activities to improve the cancer-related health and wellbeing of ethnic minority and other medically-underserved populations in Orange County.