Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity

National Minority Cancer Awareness Month: Spotlighting Cancer’s Impact on Diverse and Medically Underserved Communities

National Minority Cancer Awareness Month – celebrated every April in the United States – invites us to think seriously about the heavier impact that cancer often has on minority and medically underserved groups compared with the general population. In addition, this month’s observance gives us a chance to talk about solutions.

The National Cancer Institute reports that while rates of cancer diagnosis and death are declining for all U.S. populations, some groups are still at higher risk of developing or dying from the disease. For example:

Black/African American people have higher death rates than all other racial/ethnic groups for many cancer types.
Hispanic/Latino and Black/African American women have higher rates of cervical cancer than women of other racial/ethnic groups.
American Indians/Alaska Natives have higher death rates from kidney cancer than any other racial/ethnic group.
Rates of smoking and alcohol use, both of which increase cancer risk, are higher among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth compared with heterosexual youth.

Why are certain groups more at risk when it comes to a cancer diagnosis or death? Reasons involve a complex mix of behavior, biology, genetics, and social or environmental factors that affect our quality of life and our health. Our ability to buy healthy foods, find a safe place to exercise, or access adequate health care can influence our ability to achieve the best health possible.

Adequate health care includes access to screening tests that can detect cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage. And it includes opportunities to participate in potentially lifesaving cancer clinical trials.

Looking for organizations aimed at supporting people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals with cancer? Check out the resources below.

Resource Guide

Fabian Robles, Research Patient Navigator, Helps Ensure Equal Access to Clinical Trials at Simmons

“Less than 5% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials,” says Fabian Robles, a specialized patient navigator who enrolls cancer patients in state-of-the-art clinical treatment studies underway at Simmons Cancer Center. “Minority communities remain underrepresented in clinical trials, especially cancer clinical trials,” he notes. Mr. Robles shares why participation in clinical trials is important for individual patients and for the diverse populations they represent. He also talks about his passion for breaking down barriers that make clinical trial participation difficult for some groups of patients.

How is Cancer Impacting Dallas-Fort Worth Communities?

Read our DFW Cancer Community Profile below to learn more.

DFW Community Cancer Profile

2 Miles of Smiles Offers Tandem Skydiving to Cancer Patients and Survivors

In 2006, Sharon Bina was “just hanging out” with her husband-to-be on one of his weekend skydives. It seemed like an ordinary day – until Sharon watched cancer patient Seth Darnell celebrate his 18th birthday with his first skydive. Seeing the radiant smile and the look of accomplishment on Seth’s face as he completed his dive, Sharon felt the first of God’s “prompts” to offer the thrill and empowerment of skydiving to other cancer patients. Find out how 2 Miles of Smiles gave Simmons patient George Castillo Jr. a shot of courage after his cancer treatment. And see how cancer survivors and a companion can sign up to skydive in 2023.

April is National Donate Life Month

One way to help family and community members with leukemia or other blood diseases is to register as a bone marrow donor. To learn more, visit the National Marrow Donor Program.

Free Screenings and Community Events

Free Cancer Screenings – Moncrief Mobile Screening Clinic

UT Southwestern’s Moncrief Cancer Institute is taking its mobile clinic to the following locations in April to provide free mammograms and prostate cancer screenings to those who qualify. Call 817-288-9970 to find out more and schedule an appointment.

Free Mammogram Clinics

April 24

Goodwill Hurst

825 W. Pipeline Road

Hurst, TX 76053

April 28

Riverside Community Center

3700 E. Belknap St.

Fort Worth, TX 76111

Free Prostate Cancer Screening Clinics

April 17

Ridgmar Mall (in front of JCPenney)

1900 Green Oaks Road

Fort Worth, TX 76116

April 25

North Crowley Ninth Grade Campus

4630 McPherson Blvd.

Fort Worth, TX 76123

City of Dallas Biweekly Fresh Produce Drive – West Dallas Multipurpose Center (WDMC)

Looking for healthy food options? Dallas residents can drive through or walk up to WDMC for fresh produce, free of charge, on the second and fourth Friday of each month,1-2:30 p.m. Learn more.

2 Miles of Smiles Tandem Skydiving for Cancer Patients/Survivors and a Companion – Whitewright, TX – Various Dates

Apply here to skydive with a companion and tandem skydiving instructors on one of the following Saturdays: April 22, May 20, June 17, July 8, Aug. 5, Sept. 9, Oct. 7, or Nov. 4.

DFW PanCAN PurpleStride Walk – Fair Park, Dallas, TX – Saturday, April 29

Purple Stride is the ultimate event to end pancreatic cancer. Stop by UTSW's booth, or consider joining one of three participating UTSW teams: Purple Love Potion (Medical Oncology), Watch Me Whipple (Surgical Oncology), or Purple Beam Team (Radiation Oncology).

Head for the Cure 5K Run/Walk for Brain Cancer – Red Tail Pavilion, Plano, TX – Saturday, May 6

Team up with UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute to help raise awareness, research dollars, and hope for brain cancer patients. Register here.

GO2 for Lung Cancer Dallas 5K Walk/Run – Anderson Bonner Park, Dallas, TX – Saturday, May 6

Walk, run, or jog – virtually or in person – to fund innovative research and provide vital support so lung cancer patients can survive and thrive. Sign up here.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Wellness Retreat – Irving, TX, or Online – Thursday, May 11-Saturday, May 13

Connect, renew, and thrive at a three-day retreat away from the stresses of everyday life. Or join virtually with the Wellness Retreat App. Learn more and register here.

UT Southwestern North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition Symposium – Dallas, TX – Saturday, May 20, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join patients, families, and other community members on the UTSW campus to hear about the latest in prostate cancer trends, new treatments, and what to do after a diagnosis. The event is free, and lunch will be provided. Every attendee will receive a copy of survivor Tom Hulsey’s book, The Winning Mindset That Saved My Life, courtesy of Mary Crowley Cancer Research. Register here.

We Can Win: Real Talk About Prostate and Breast Cancer – DeSoto, TX – Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hear from medical professionals and health equity experts about the importance of early screening and detection for prostate and breast cancer. Come with questions or share your personal story. Learn more here.

Visit the Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity to learn more about our mission to reduce the cancer burden in North Texas and promote equity in cancer prevention, care, and outcomes through research, education, and engagement, particularly for racially and ethnically diverse, rural, and other underserved communities.

See how you can join us!

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