About this Research Topic

Background

Genitourinary cancers represent an important part of global morbidity and mortality from cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer diagnosis made in men and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. Bladder cancer accounts for 3% of global cancer diagnoses and kidney cancer accounts for 2%. Additionally, testicular cancer accounts for 1% of cancers in men. There are notable global and within-country disparities in the incidence and outcome of genitourinary cancers. Disparities emerge in the epidemiology of these diseases, but also in access to treatment, quality of treatment, and treatment outcomes. The manifestations of these disparities and their root causes are multifaceted, and may involve issues of equity in access to screening and quality treatment, genetic and environmental predisposition, cultural values, health systems factors, and others. Therefore, greater understanding of the nature and causes of these disparities is necessary as we work towards equity in cancer care globally.

How do disparities manifest at various levels of the cancer care continuum for patients with genitourinary cancers? What are the root causes of these disparities and why do they persist? How can we mitigate these global and within-country disparities? Research advances in cancer surveillance and quantitative methods, as well as national and international data sharing, have improved our ability to assess cancer disparities. Greater recognition of the importance of giving voice to often overlooked populations -- including those who bear the weight of cancer disparities -- has shed light the multi-factorial causes of these disparities. Creative advances in biomedicine and policy have worked to mitigate these disparities. However, more work in each of these areas is needed to improve equity in cancer care.

The scope of this Research Topic is purposely broad given our recognition that disparities can manifest at each stage of the cancer continuum. Therefore, we invite papers that assess the nature and quantify disparities globally, particularly within regions about which less is known. These include disparities in epidemiology, disparities in access to care, and disparities in treatment outcomes. We also welcome papers that seek to assess the causes of these disparities using both quantitative and qualitative methods. These include studies that identify clinical, sociodemographic, or policy factors that mediate these disparities, as well as cultural factors that may play a role. Critically, we seek papers that propose and/or demonstrate ways in which these disparities can be mitigated. We welcome original research, reviews, mini reviews, and perspectives pieces that further our understanding -- or report interventions that address -- global disparities in genitourinary cancers, particularly those that give voice to populations and geographies often overlooked in the literature.

Keywords: Genitourinary Cancers, Prostate Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Testicular Cancer, Global Health, Health Equity, Cancer Disparities

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