Dr. Marcia Cruz-Correa, a distinguished professor at the University of Puerto Rico, is leading efforts to address cancer health disparities among Hispanic populations. As a member of the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Equity Leaders (CEL) team, Cruz-Correa is dedicated to improving access to care and understanding the root causes of cancer disparities.
Her journey began during medical school when she observed differences in disease presentation and treatment responses among Hispanic patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This sparked her interest in cancer disparities research, leading her to pursue formal training in clinical investigation at Johns Hopkins University.
Cruz-Correa’s work has been instrumental in advancing cancer health equity in Puerto Rico. She spearheaded the creation of the Puerto Rico Colorectal Cancer Coalition in 2010, which has been pivotal in increasing awareness and improving screening rates. Her efforts contributed to Puerto Rico becoming the first U.S. jurisdiction to begin colorectal cancer screening before age 50 in 2015.
At the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cruz-Correa has fostered partnerships with community organizations to enhance access to educational programs, cancer screening, and clinical trials. She emphasizes the importance of culturally aligned programs and genuine community involvement in addressing health disparities.
Cruz-Correa’s research has also influenced health policies in Puerto Rico, including those for HPV vaccination and anal cancer screening. Under her leadership, Puerto Rico has achieved one of the highest HPV vaccination rates among U.S. jurisdictions.
“Health equity is our north,” Cruz-Correa states, encouraging aspiring researchers to join the fight against cancer disparities. She advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing the need for collaboration across scientific disciplines to find innovative solutions and move closer to cancer health equity for all communities.
See: “A Conversation with Dr. Marcia Cruz-Correa” (December 18, 2024)
