Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center Receives Grant from MacMillan Family Foundation to Combat Cancer Health Care Disparities

The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) is proud to announce support from the MacMillan Family Foundation to foster the center’s longstanding efforts in cancer health equity for all. This transformative grant will expand the impactful work of the HICCC’s Community Outreach and Engagement and Cancer Research Training and Education offices, aiming to confront historical disparities in cancer care through innovative community-driven strategies. 

Cancer continues to exact a profound toll on individuals and communities across the United States, with 1.9 million new cases and 610,000 cancer-related deaths annually. The burden is particularly acute in the New York City and Northern New Jersey areas, where disparities in access to care and outcomes persist among underrepresented minority groups.  

"Almost every person has been impacted by cancer in some way," says Anil K. Rustgi, Herbert and Florence Irving Director of the HICCC. "This grant represents a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to address the root causes of cancer health disparities and ensure that all individuals, regardless of background, have access to equitable care and resources." 

The disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes are stark, disproportionately affecting minority populations. Non-Hispanic Black individuals, Hispanic populations, and immigrants face higher rates of diagnosis and more aggressive forms of cancer, leading to shorter survival and increased mortality rates. These disparities underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and community-driven solutions. 

The grant will fund a new program that will deploy community and nurse navigators to provide outreach, education, and support for primary cancer prevention, including HPV vaccination, physical activity and nutrition counseling, skin cancer prevention, and tobacco cessation. Additionally, the program will offer navigation services for cancer screening and prevention, including colonoscopies, as well as health education initiatives tailored for students in the Washington Heights area. 

"The HICCC is committed to leveraging our expertise and resources to combat cancer health disparities in our diverse community,” says Rustgi. “With the support of the MacMillan Family Foundation, we will empower individuals and families with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to prevent, detect, and manage cancer effectively."