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Health Equity

ACS CAN supports health equity efforts for all Americans so they may receive access to quality care, no matter their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, income level or ZIP code. 

Health Equity Resources:

Cancer impacts everyone, but it doesn’t impact everyone equally. For the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), health equity means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer – regardless of income, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or where they live. ACS CAN advocates for evidence-based policies that reduce the cancer burden for everyone and is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels.

For the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer – no matter how much money someone makes, the color of their skin, sexual orientat

El cáncer de seno es el tipo de cáncer que se diagnostica con mayor frecuencia en mujeres en EE.UU. Aunque en lasúltimas décadas se han logrado avances sustanciales en la reducción de la mortalidad por esta enfermedad,persisten desigualdades, especialmente entre las mujeres de raza negra.

A critical factor for eliminating disparities and ensuring health equity is the guarantee that all people have access to quality, affordable health care.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) believes everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. No one should be disadvantaged in their fight against cancer because of income, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or where they live. From preventive screening and early detection, through diagnosis and treatment, and into survivorship, there are several factors that influence cancer disparities among different populations across the cancer continuum.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) commented on the National Academy of Sciences’ request for federal policies that contribute to racial and ethnic health inequities.

Cancer takes a huge physical toll on patients and survivors and comes with many costs. This fact sheet explores the costs of cancer in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) community. The + represents people who identify with the acronym, but don’t necessarily identify with the specific ones listed.

Half of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) cancer patients and survivors report they are concerned about facing discrimination in a health care setting. More than one-third have experienced discrimination in a healthcare setting, with significant impacts on their care.

Cancer biomarker testing can lead to targeted therapy which can improve survival and quality of life by connecting patients to the most beneficial treatment for their disease.

Patient Navigation Resources:

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) along with partners appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Patient Navigation provisions of CY2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are united in the goal of achieving health equity and access to quality care across the cancer continuum through effective patient navigation. Yet to date, patient navigation services are still absen

The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) along with partners appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Patient Navigation provisions of CY2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Rural Areas Resources:

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, ACS CAN hosted its 15th annual National Forum on the Future of Health Care entitles Cancer Care in Rural America: Improving Acess for Better Outcomes.

This factsheet is an excerpt of Cancer Disparities: An American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Chartbook, which examines cancer-specific data on communities disproportionately

Our latest survey finds that cancer patients and survivors living in rural communities are significantly more likely than those in other areas to find it difficult to afford their health care and to accumulate medical debt related to their cancer care. As a result of these additional cost burdens, rural cancer patients and survivors are more likely to skip or delay recommended medical care, skip or delay taking a prescribed medication, fall behind on recommended cancer screenings, and to face food insecurity.

People who live in rural and remote areas have specific challenges in accessing cancer treatments and preventive services. It is estimated that up to 20% of the U.S.

Cancer is a leading cause of death and morbidity in the United States and imposes not only profound health consequences for patients and survivors but also substantial financial hardship.