Call for the next special issue of ENGAGE!, "Inclusive Engagement in Cancer Research and Practice"
In 2025, the American Cancer Society projects that there will be 2,041,910 new cancer cases and 618,120 cancer deaths in the United States. This amounts to the loss of approximately 1,700 people being lost from their communities each day. While research has led to the development of improved treatment options, there is still a reality that cancer incidence trends are shifting towards differential impacts on younger adults and women. Examples include Cancer Facts & Figures 2025 reporting that rate of new diagnoses of colorectal cancer in men and women younger than 65 years of age and cervical cancer in women (30-44 years of age) has increased. Furthermore, disparities in survival outcomes persist in underserved communities as demonstrated by Native American people having 2-3 times lower survival rates than White people for kidney, liver, stomach, and cervical cancers, while Black people have half the survival rate for prostate, stomach, cervical and uterine corpus cancers compared to White people. Semprini et al. (2024) reported that rural communities also experienced higher all cancer combined 5-year incidence rates, with even larger disparities in the south, generally driven by modifiable behaviors that could be addressed by targeted interventions and policies surrounding as tobacco use and human papillomavirus infection.
Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, interim chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), has highlighted the need to address the current trends: “We also must address these shifts in cancer incidence, mainly among women. A concerted effort between healthcare providers, policymakers and communities needs to be prioritized to assess where and why mortality rates are rising.” Across the United States, a growing movement of advocates, activists, educators, thinkers, and creators is fostering vibrant communities of practice and repair. These collectives, established and emerging, nurture social connection, resilience, and health which contribute significantly to cancer prevention, screening, and survivorship support. Research also indicates a need for the expansion of lively social engagement and arts activities within communities as a vehicle to enhance social connection, well-being, and economic resilience for cancer patients, survivors and their families. This special issue seeks to learn from and share all of the practices and approaches creating positive impacts on cancer incidence and survivorship in these communities, highlighting how collaborative engagements between academic, clinical practice, policymakers, community advocates, and community members can foster supportive environments that reduce stigma and promote resilience among cancer patients, survivors, and those at risk.
To address these challenges, we invite community members and community-engaged scholars from a wide range of scientific and professional backgrounds to contribute. We highly encourage submissions that explore innovative strategies by which communities engage in reparative practices that advance individual and community well-being. This special issue aims to elevate the voices and practices of underserved communities and welcomes articles that showcase how community involved designs of reparation and engagement can promote equitable and socially just participation in cancer education, research, and practice.
Scope and Content:
This issue encourages contributions from diverse perspectives, including but not limited to community members, scholars, artists, and healthcare practitioners. Submissions may explore the following themes:
- Community-Engaged Cancer Research:
- Studies focused on integrating community voices into cancer research to identify effective solutions to address health disparities.
- Innovative approaches for involving community stakeholders in the design and implementation of cancer-related research, especially within urban environments.
- Examples of successful community-researcher partnerships that address social determinants of health in cancer care.
- Practitioner Best Practice Evaluation:
- Evaluations of community-based cancer care practices and their impact on patient outcomes.
- Development and assessment of culturally responsive care protocols to address barriers such as mistrust and limited health literacy.
- Case studies illustrating successful adaptations of patient navigation and support systems for diverse communities.
- Education Resource Assessment:
- Analysis of existing educational resources for healthcare providers and their effectiveness in enhancing cultural competence.
- Evaluations of training programs that prepare clinicians to address the unique needs of urban, underrepresented communities.
- Contributions exploring educational interventions for community health advocates that strengthen cancer prevention and survivorship education.
- Arts and Social Cohesion in Cancer Support:
- Research and stories exploring how arts activities in urban communities contribute to cancer screening, prevention, and survivorship support, fostering social cohesion and enhancing well-being.
- Examples of arts-based health initiatives that encourage community engagement in cancer awareness and education.
- Articles on community arts’ roles in reducing stigma and building resilience among cancer patients and survivors.
- Social Determinants of Health and Cancer Disparities:
- Articles that examine the role of social determinants of health specific to urban settings in cancer prevention, control, and survivorship.
- Studies that investigate the impacts of environmental, economic, and cultural factors on cancer care outcomes in historically underserved urban areas.
- Elevating Marginalized Voices for Equity in Cancer Care:
- Contributions that highlight the voices and experiences of historically marginalized communities to promote equitable and socially just engagement in cancer education, research, and practice.
- Case studies and theoretical articles exploring inclusive practices that center and empower minoritized voices in health research and healthcare delivery.
For detailed submission guidelines go to https://journals.indianapolis.iu.edu/index.php/ENGAGE/about/submissions.
The editors invite inquiry about this issue: https://journals.indianapolis.iu.edu/index.php/ENGAGE/about/contact
