Black Outreach Subcommittee for Screening (BOSS) Taskforce
About the Program
Black Americans are at higher risk for cancer than other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. Did you know, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in black men and women? And sadly, more than one in three will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. A very unfortunate statistic, but we can do something about this preventable disease.
The Black Outreach Subcommittee for Screening, Access, and Advocacy Taskforce (BOSS) is an affinity group of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. The task force is a critical support tactic in achieving our mission goals by addressing the disparate impact of colorectal cancer in the Black community, increasing awareness, and improving access to screening & supportive solutions for patients, families, caregivers, and survivors during and after diagnosis.
With your help in this purposeful work, we will end this disease in our lifetime.
Our Goal is to Increase Screening, Access, and Advocacy
Black colorectal cancer patients and survivors face unique challenges and face barriers that can delay their care. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is making an effort to improve colorectal screening rates of Black individuals by identifying and addressing the barriers that lead to disparities in colorectal screenings within the Black community.
To date, the Alliance, along with BOSS Taskforce members, have led national screening campaigns to raise awareness, helped raise money for critical research, advocated on behalf of under-resourced communities, and provided support to those who need it the most.
The Alliance will continue to build a coalition with local organizations, health systems, influencers, volunteers, and leaders to drive screenings in Black communities and establish a sustainable and replicable program model that will help drive thousands of screenings of Black individuals and catch thousands of cancers that may have gone undetected.
Why Do Disparities Exist?
Disparities in colorectal screenings within the Black community exist for a few reasons.
American Cancer Society reported that “40 percent of the racial disparity in colon cancer survival is due to the combined effects of the later stage at diagnosis, more unfavorable tumor characteristics, and more comorbidities among black patients” (Lai et al, 2016).
Additional reasons include:
- Differences in access to early detection and receipt of timely, high-quality treatment.
- Systemic racism reduces access to care and contributes to mistrust of the healthcare system.
- Implicit bias among healthcare workers that affect providers’ understanding, actions, and decisions impacting delivery of preventive care and treatment.
- Comorbidities that are more prevalent among this population.
- Modifiable factors that disproportionately affect Black communities and increase risk for CRC.
The Future of Screenings Must Be Equitable & Inclusive
The Alliance is intentionally applying a health equity lens in its approach to improve colorectal screening rates of Black individuals. We partner with those closest to the challenge to identify equitable solutions. Our goal is to save lives and drive lasting impact. We invite you to join us!
Our Members Truly Define a ‘BOSS’
BOSS members are passionate about raising awareness of colorectal cancer in the Black community and supporting the Alliance through outreach. The Alliance offers BOSS members the opportunity to engage in local, regional, and national events, in addition to leadership opportunities.
How to Get Involved
BOSS is a collaborative taskforce where members are committed to the BOSS mission. Membership for BOSS is open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion or disability. Membership is for all who share our commitment to addressing and improving access to screening and supportive solutions for those in the Black communities.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Angela King at aking@ccalliance.org.