Intersectionality of Obesity, Cancer, and Health Disparities in Clinical Research

This webinar addressed the intersectionality of obesity, cancer, and health disparities in the context of clinical research. This was the third webinar in a series that focused on the intersection of cancer, obesity and disparities within racially and ethnically diverse populations. As the discussant, Dr. Worta McCaskill-Stevens set the stage for the challenges in cancer, obesity, and health disparities in clinical research. As a central theme, Dr. Jennifer Ligibel discussed the BWEL trial, which tested a weight loss intervention in breast cancer survivors for its potential to decrease the risk of recurrence. Dr. Khalid Matin used regional data for the U.S., particularly for Virginia, to demonstrate overlap of minority/underserved populations with concentrations of obesity, emphasizing the increased risk of cancer and cancer mortality in these areas. Dr Kathryn Schmitz discussed the higher incidence of lymphedema following mastectomy in breast cancer survivors with obesity (especially African American women) and described clinical trials of exercise interventions to improve this adverse effect. This webinar is part of the NCI Obesity and Cancer webinar series.