The American Cancer Society 2023 Committee

Cancer can affect anyone, but for underrepresented communities suffering unequal treatment, the burden is amplified. When systemic injustice leads to lower quality of health care for those based on income, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, age or where they live or work, it's a health inequity. Institutional structures can affect every step on cancer care - from prevention and screening to treatment and the quality of life during survivorship. The American Cancer Society conducts and supports research to help understand factors that lead to cancer inequalities and creates strategies to overcome them.