Recognising excellence: A step Towards equity in global health

The global fight against cancer requires a collaborative effort to address disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized populations. On November 14, 2024, during London Global Cancer Week, the Vanessa Moss Prize was awarded to early career researchers in cancer health disparities. Hosted at the prestigious House of Commons, in the UK, this event underscored the critical need for supporting early career researchers dedicated to addressing inequities in cancer outcomes.

Cancer health disparities remain a pressing issue. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), patients are often diagnosed at advanced stages, face limited access to care, and experience worse outcomes compared to those in high-income countries (World Health Organization, 2023). Even within high-income nations, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities persist (Siegel et al., 2023). Addressing these inequities requires a concerted effort to train and support researchers who understand the social, economic, and cultural contexts of the affected populations.

The importance of supporting early career researchers

Early career researchers are uniquely positioned to drive progress in this field. Often more attuned to emerging challenges, they bring fresh perspectives, creative methodologies, and the ambition to tackle complex problems. However, they face significant hurdles, including limited funding, lack of mentorship, and inadequate research infrastructure, particularly when working in LMICs (Shrivastava et al., 2021). This is particularly true in the field of cancer health disparities, where research topics may not always align with mainstream funding priorities. Without adequate support, promising ideas risk being set aside, and the momentum needed to address pressing global health challenges could wane.

At the 2025 London Global Cancer Week, Winners of the Vanessa Moss Prize were:

• Masood Moghul: Fellow at The Institute of Cancer Research, awarded for "The Man Van - Using Mobile Targeted Case-Finding to Address Health Inequalities in Prostate Cancer & Other Health Conditions," highlighting an innovative approach to tackling health disparities in the UK.
• Harenthri Devy Alagir Rajah: From Malaysia, explored "Unequal Burden: Disparities in Financial Toxicity Following Cancer in an Upper Middle-Income Nation Making Good Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage."
• Lucy Mitchinson: From Queen Mary University London, presented "Accessing Lung Cancer Care in Urban and Rural Settings: Development of a Patient Engagement Tool," offering insights into patient experiences in the UK.
• Haleema Aslam: From Leicester, UK, investigated how to "Improve Uptake and Access to the NHS Breast Screening Programme for Minority Ethnic Women in Leicester,” focusing on overcoming barriers in healthcare access within the UK.
• Gebrekirstos Hagos: From Somalia, presented findings on "Patterns of Cancer in Needle Hospital," illuminating the cancer landscape in Somaliland.
• Zeeshan Arif: From Lancashire, UK, analysed the "Impact of Postcode on Treatment for Metastatic Hormone Sensitive Prostate Cancer: May The Odds Be Ever in Your Favour," highlighting geographic disparities in healthcare within the UK.
• Favour Chiemelie Okoye: From Nigeria, proposed a "Model of Hospice Care Service Delivery for Patients with Advanced Cancer in a Resource-limited Setting," addressing the urgent needs of patients in Nigeria.
• Lin Cheng: From Glasgow, conducted "Assessment of Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Cancer Among Ethnic Chinese Immigrants - A Community-based Collaborative Survey in Glasgow," illuminating awareness and perceptions of cancer in immigrant communities in the UK.

The 2024 Vanessa Moss Prize recipients exemplify the transformative impact of empowering early career researchers to address cancer health disparities. Their work is a reminder that achieving equity in cancer care is not merely a scientific endeavour but a moral imperative. Through the investment in young talent, the promotion of collaboration, and the application of research findings, we can expedite advancements towards eliminating disparities and ensuring inclusivity in the fight against cancer.

For more information watch this interview with Dr Olubukola Ayodele, a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, UK or read the abstracts on the London Global Cancer Week Conference page here.

References:

• Shrivastava, S. R., Shrivastava, P. S., & Ramasamy, J. (2021). Capacity building for health research in low- and middle-income countries: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Global Health, 11, 04006.
• Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., & Jemal, A. (2023). Cancer statistics, 2023. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 73(1), 17–48.
• World Health Organization. (2023). Cancer: Key facts. Retrieved from https://www.who.int