Large AAPI cancer clinical trial is the nation’s first
Study will examine health disparities and risk factors among Asian American ethnic groups
June 27, 2024
IN THE NEWS: Although cancer is one of the leading causes of death among Asian Americans, it’s not understood why because of historical underrepresentation in research.
A $12.5 million study funded by the National Cancer Institute seeks to right the imbalance and uncover the health disparities and risk factors that contribute to cancer among Asian Americans.
Sora Tanjasiri, associate director of Cancer Health Disparities and Community Engagement at the UCI Health Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, spoke to LAist about the need for such investigation.
“Vietnamese have historically had higher rates of cervical cancer. Koreans have higher rates of liver cancer and stomach cancer. You have to look at the nuances.”
The work is an opportunity to inform future cancer research, she says.
“We want to leave a legacy to future researchers so that they do not have to do what we've had to do up until now.”
Tanjasiri, PhD, is also a professor of health, society and behavior at the UC Irvine Program in Public Health. Her research interests are cancer health disparities, cancer prevention, breast and cervical early detection, and community-based participatory research.
To be eligible, participants must be between 40 to 75 years old without a cancer diagnosis. Orange County enrollees should email Tanjasiri at tanjasir@hs.uci.edu.
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