Abstract A160: Navigating underserved populations across the cancer continuum: Establishing cancer support and navigation project
Authors: Zelada Janeth , Ngula Emma , Sung Min Jung , Lopez Ghecemy , Balingit Reener , Surani Zul 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background. Cancer disproportionately affects underserved communities, including those who face economic, racial, ethnic, and social barriers. These barriers contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment, resulting in poorer outcomes. Methods. To address this gap, Cedars Sinai Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has developed the Cancer Support and Navigation Project to improve cancer-related outcomes for underserved cancer patients by providing navigation that eliminates barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The project focuses on reducing barriers for underrepresented sexual, gender, financial, racial, and ethnic minority community members, who are either at risk of being diagnosed with cancer or those have already been diagnosed with cancer, and their loved ones, by offering tailored science-based cancer information, education, navigation, support resources, access to care and cancer support. Our project is targeting geographic areas and groups within the Los Angeles County (Catchment Area) that experience higher incidence of late-stage diagnosis such Latinx, LGBTQ+, Korean, Filipino, Black and immigrant communities. Our COE team has 3 dedicated navigators who are multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and representative of populations with intersectional identities to provide direct services to community members. Additionally, our COE team has recruited, trained and engaged over 42 community health workers/promotoras/navigators from the community to disseminate cancer health information and navigate people through the cancer continuum. Results. We have disseminated over 1000 flyers and participated in over 100 tabling events throughout Los Angeles County. Additionally, we have developed partnership with various Federally Qualified Health Clinics, including Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital, Central Neighborhood Christian Health Center, Comprehensive Community Health Centers, Saban Community Clinic, Koryo Health Foundation. To date, COE has navigated n=733, who predominantly identify as Hispanic/Latino/a/e/x, Koreans, and LGBTQ+. Most have identified the following areas for navigation: assistance with medial-related care such as cancer screening, diagnosis, or treatment, financial, language barrier, food security and nutrition, insurance coverage, emotional/relationship, social support/isolation, mental health, behavioral, or stress, transportation, housing, and many others. Conclusion. The project's efforts have highlighted the critical importance of providing targeted navigation services to reduce cancer disparities and improve health outcomes for underserved communities. By addressing the unique needs of these populations and eliminating barriers to care, the Cancer Support and Navigation Project at Cedars Sinai Cancer Center COE has made a substantial and positive impact on the lives of many individuals and their families, paving the way for more equitable cancer care and support.
Citation Format: Janeth Zelada, Emma Ngula, Min Jung Sung, Ghecemy Lopez, Reener Balingit, Zul Surani. Navigating underserved populations across the cancer continuum: Establishing cancer support and navigation project [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A160.