Cancer Awareness Month Webinar - October 2025
Mapping the Gap: Geographic and Social Barriers to Timely Cancer Diagnosis in Underserved North Carolina Communities
Ft. UNC experts Lorinda A. Coombs, PhD, MS, FNP-BC, AOCNP, Paul L. Delamater, PhD, and Caroline A. Thompson, PhD, MPH
Monday, October 13, 2025
9-10 a.m. Pacific Time
For Cancer Awareness Month this October, join us as we welcome researchers from the University of North Carolina as they discuss results from their mixed-methods study examining cancer diagnosis delays in underserved North Carolina communities. This timely research addresses critical gaps in our understanding of how geographic, social, and economic barriers impact cancer outcomes in rural and impoverished settings.
You'll gain insights into:
- Barrier Identification: Specific obstacles preventing timely cancer diagnosis in underserved communities
- Geographic Patterns: How location and accessibility impact diagnosis timing
- Community Impact: Real-world implications for patients and families in rural NC
- Intervention Pathways: Strategic approaches to reducing diagnosis delays
- Data Visualization: User-friendly geographic tools for understanding cancer care disparities
Cancer diagnosis delays disproportionately affect rural and underserved populations, yet limited research has examined this critical issue in North Carolina—a state where rural communities face significant healthcare access challenges. This study provides essential evidence for:
- Healthcare providers serving rural populations
- Public health officials and policymakers
- Community health advocates
- Researchers studying health disparities
- Healthcare system administrators
Be sure to bring your questions for our panelists for the Q&A portion of the event.
Support for this research project was provided by AcademyHealth’s Pre-hospital Diagnostic Delay program and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of either organization.
Featured Speakers
Lorinda A. Coombs, PhD, MS, FNP-BC, AOCNP
Clinician Researcher and Assistant Professor, UNC School of Nursing
Dr. Coombs will contribute a frontline clinical perspective and patient care insights.
Paul L. Delamater, PhD
Healthcare Geographer and Associate Professor, UNC Carolina Population Center
Dr. Delamater will provide spatial analysis expertise and geographic visualization of healthcare access patterns.
Caroline A. Thompson, PhD, MPH
Cancer Epidemiologist and Associate Professor, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Dr. Thompson will share her expertise in population-level cancer patterns and statistical analysis of health disparities.
Sumant Ranji, MD (Moderator)
Inaugural Director, UCSF CODEX
Director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Division of Hospital Medicine at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG)
Sumant is a renowned leader in patient safety, quality improvement, and medical education. He first joined UCSF as a fellow in hospital medicine and clinical research, then went on to become a faculty member in the Division of Hospital Medicine at UCSF Health, where he held multiple leadership positions. As director of CoDEx, Sumant leads the center’s strategic planning and the execution of its work to champion diagnostic excellence research and build awareness of and engagement within the field.
Learn more about Sumant here.
For more CODEX webinars, click here.
Disclaimer: This webinar is for educational purposes only. Such use does not constitute an endorsement or approval from UCSF of any organization, product, and/or service.