Prostate Cancer in Men of African Descent: Opportunities for Global Research Collaborations
Overview
The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program (EGRP) and Center for Global Health (CGH) cosponsored a Workshop on Prostate Cancer in Men of African Descent: Opportunities for Global Research Collaborations on October 5-7, 2011, on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, MD.
Prostate cancer disproportionately affects men of African descent in terms of incidence, morbidity, and mortality worldwide. Significant knowledge gaps exist about the factors that predict disparities in prostate cancer incidence and outcomes between men of African descent and other ethnic or racial groups.
It is imperative to integrate diverse scientific disciplines, methods, and analytic approaches to understand the multiple contributions to disparities in prostate cancer, including factors associated with the social environment (e.g., economic status, access to health care, and social isolation), the physical environment (e.g., location or type of residence or medical care setting), behavior (e.g., attitudes, beliefs, and practices associated with prostate cancer screening), lifestyle (e.g., smoking, alcohol, or sexual habits) and biology (e.g., inherited genotypes that may affect the development of prostate cancer or predict the aggressiveness of a prostate tumor).
The purpose of this Workshop was to promote and foster multi- and transdisciplinary research collaborations among domestic and international scientists involved in prostate cancer research in men of African descent. The goals were to:
- Foster the development of collaborations between U.S. and international investigators who are interested in examining the epidemiology of prostate cancer in men of African descent worldwide,
- Develop scientific goals and future initiatives for prostate cancer research in men of African descent, and
- Provide training for young and international investigators interested in pursuing scientific research in prostate cancer.
Agenda
On October 5, junior U.S. and international investigators attended a training component of the Workshop covered aspects of grant writing and the publication process. On October 6-7, the Workshop addressed research gaps and scientific progress and was attended by more than 65 participants from the United States, United Kingdom, Africa, and the Caribbean. View agenda.
For more questions concerning the Workshop, contact Dr. Damali Martin, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Director, Host Susceptibility Factors Branch, EGRP, and International Research Coordinator, Division of Cancer Control and Population Services (DCCPS).
Workshop Planning Committee
Dr. Damali Martin was Chair of the Planning Committee, with Co-chairs:
- Krista Zanetti, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.D., Program Director, Host Susceptibility Factors Branch, and Chinonye (Nonye) Harvey, M.P.H., Public Health Advisor, Office of the Associate Director, EGRP, DCCPS; and
- Makeda Williams, Ph.D., M.P.H., Office of the Director, Center for Global Health, NCI.
Workshop Summary
A meeting report will be published in a scientific journal.
