6th Annual Cancer Symposium

In the U.S., individuals of African descent are at higher risk for developing GI cancers (colorectal and pancreatic) as well as other cancers and also exhibit higher mortality rates for these cancers compared to individuals of Caucasian descent. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and Stony Brook University, serving communities with cancer health disparities, have partnered with the NCI-designated Cancer Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to study racial ethnic differences in GI cancer biology. This symposium aims to inform investigators and clinicians, trainees and students, and interested members of the public on research advances in understanding biological differences contributing towards racial and ethnic differences in colon and pancreatic cancer outcomes, on the potential of machine learning/artificial intelligence to contribute to the field, and opportunities for expanding colon cancer screening in the community. The Symposium also seeks to create new collaborations and inspire new ideas on how to address why patients of African descent are disproportionately affected by GI cancers. The Symposium features the Keynote Address presented by Otis Brawley, MD, from Johns Hopkins University, as well as talks by investigators highlighting the progress that has been made on cancer health disparities. On behalf of SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University and the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Stony Brook University, we welcome you and thank you for being part of this exciting program.