Cancer in the Medically Underserved Population

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. It is the second most common cause of death in the United States, and a significant proportion can be prevented. Underrepresented and underserved populations are less likely to receive routine medical procedures and experience a lower quality of health services. Despite the increase in cancer screening, there are disparities in the incidence and mortality of various cancers. These disparities are not fully explained by the correlations between minority race and lower socioeconomic status or minority race and insurance status. Considerations for global cancer control in low-resource settings are presented.