Dr. Ngozi Ezike, president and CEO of Sinai Chicago, has brought attention to a recent report by the American Cancer Society that highlights the significant progress made in cancer research and treatment.
Released at the end of May, the Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Statistics report indicates that within the next decade, over 22 million individuals are expected to be living with cancer.
This marks a positive shift in the narrative surrounding cancer, moving away from the notion that a diagnosis equates to death.
Dr. Ezike explained, “That actually is the most hopeful testimony to anybody who is scared of that infamous C word. It means that cancer does not equate to death. It means you can have cancer, survive cancer, and go on to live a full, productive life.”
Despite the overall increase in cancer survivorship, Dr. Ezike underscores that these improved outcomes are not evenly distributed across different demographics.
In cities like Chicago, survival rates can significantly depend on one’s zip code, with Black men and women often diagnosed at later stages, leading to higher mortality rates from treatable cancers.
Dr. Ezike, formerly the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is actively working to address and close these racial gaps in cancer survivorship.
In conversation with The Chicago Defender, she elaborated on the hopeful rise in cancer survivors, the obstacles that still remain, and the potential consequences of federal funding cuts on these advancements.
According to Dr. Ezike, the past five decades have seen remarkable improvement in cancer survival rates.
“If you go back 50 years, the five-year overall survival rate for all cancers was less than half,” she noted.
Today, approximately 70% of people diagnosed with cancer are alive five years later, showcasing the progress made in treatment and detection.
However, Dr. Ezike emphasizes the importance of early detection and preventive measures.
She notes that many people may avoid getting tested due to fear or a sense of normalcy with their health.
“But it’s like, ‘No, you do want to know because the earlier you know, the earlier we can get at it, and the higher the chance of survivability and going on to thrive,’” she added.
Sinai Chicago’s mission aligns with this vision—providing care while ensuring community access to necessary resources.
Dr. Ezike stresses that prevention is paramount; educating the community on healthy lifestyle choices—including nutrition, physical activity, and adequate sleep—can drastically lower cancer risks.
The report also highlights breast cancer, projecting a significant increase in survivorship for this demographic.
Dr. Ezike pointed out that while breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, with a staggering one in eight women likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime, survival rates vary significantly among different ethnic groups.
“As the treatments for breast cancer just get better and better, we still see some of these disparities in terms of the outcomes for different ethnic groups,” she acknowledged.
Black women often face notably poorer survival rates compared to their white counterparts, which represents an ongoing battle to eliminate existing disparities.
Dr. Ezike highlighted the role of unconscious bias in healthcare, emphasizing the necessity of instituting standardized protocols to address potential inequities.
Access to care is another critical aspect of tackling these disparities.
Dr. Ezike explained that institutions like Sinai, which primarily serve minority populations, play an essential role in providing cancer care to those most affected.
“It is very important that those populations have a place to go to get care,” she said.
She pointed out that later-stage detections often lead to decreased survival rates, making it crucial to get community members in for timely screenings.
Strategies like extended clinic hours, transportation assistance, and appointment reminders can help encourage local residents to seek preventive care and screenings.
“We have work to do,” Dr. Ezike stated.
She believes that tackling racial disparities in health involves a multifaceted approach—educating healthcare providers, boosting access to services, and implementing support systems to assist patients in receiving necessary care.
The discussion then shifted to prostate cancer, which poses similar challenges as breast cancer for Black men.
Dr. Ezike reiterated that prostate cancer is often slow-growing and that early detection can lead to successful treatment preventing fatalities.
It is crucial that awareness campaigns regarding early detection for both breast and prostate cancers extend into communities at risk.
Addressing an alarming issue, Dr. Ezike expressed concern over potential cuts to Medicaid and their implications for cancer prevention programs.
“What would be the downstream effects of losing dollars to Medicaid?” she questioned.
In Illinois alone, around 3.5 million individuals rely on Medicaid coverage.
Cuts to this program may lead to a rise in uninsured individuals, impeding their ability to seek necessary screenings and treatments due to financial concerns.
“Any cut in Medicaid would lead to a decreased amount of services that are covered,” she warned.
Dr. Ezike urged that the repercussions of such funding cuts could visibly undermine decades of progress made in cancer treatment and survivorship.
As stated, Sinai serves a population where 70% depend on Medicaid—a loss of coverage could result in dire consequences for public health, particularly among vulnerable populations.
“It would cause people not to seek the preventive care that can help prevent cancer and the screenings that can help detect it early, as well as ensuring treatments save lives that are currently achievable,” she cautioned.
Lastly, Dr. Ezike reiterated the importance of equality in healthcare.
Although survivorship rates are increasing across the board, the aim is to ensure that these statistics reflect equitable outcomes for all communities in Chicago, including the West and South sides.
“We want it on the West Side and the South Sides, and not just in the more affluent areas,” she concluded, echoing a sentiment of inclusivity in health advancements.
This ongoing dedication by figures like Dr. Ezike demonstrates the vital need for a united front in addressing cancer disparities and ensuring every individual has an equal opportunity for survival and a healthy future.
image source from：https://chicagodefender.com/dr-ngozi-ezike-on-closing-the-cancer-survival-gap-in-black-chicago-communities/
