Don’t Tell My Family: Understanding the Impact of Cancer Stigma

310 Trent Dr

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Don’t Tell My Family: Understanding the Impact of Cancer Stigma

310 Trent Dr

Cancer patients in some parts of the world face stigma from families and communities that can prevent them from seeking or sticking with treatment. Two DGHI-led studies in Tanzania – one focusing on pediatric patients in Mwanza and one on adult patients in Moshi – are seeking to understand attitudes and beliefs surrounding cancer in those communities, a potential step toward designing interventions that allow patients to access the care they need without shame or repercussions. Moderated by Kristin Schroeder, M.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics and global health and the principal investigator of the Mwanza study, this panel will explore initial findings from those studies, as well as similarities to stigma around other diseases such as cervical cancer.

SPEAKERS

Brandon Knettel, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Duke University School of Nursing with a secondary appointment in the Duke Global Health Institute. His areas of specialization are global mental health and health behavior, with a focus on care engagement, stigma reduction, and mental health support for people living with HIV. At DGHI, he teaches a course in Global Mental Health for the Master of Science in Global Health program. 

Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters Ph.D MPH , is an Assistant Research Professor of Global Health with DGHI, with appointments in Population Health Sciences and in Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences.

Suhana Posani is a second-year student in the Duke Master of Science in Global Health program. This past summer she traveled to Mwanza, Tanzania to conduct qualitative interviews with pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers about cancer stigma they experienced from their communities. Her masters thesis is based on this research and discusses possible interventions to reduce stigma and improve treatment delays.

Kristin Schroeder, MD MPH (moderator), is an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, with further specialization in Neuro-oncology.Since 2014, Schroeder has spent six or more months per year in Mwanza, Tanzania, at the Bugando Medical Centre as part of the Duke Global Cancer Program. In addition to developing capacity for pediatric cancer care, her research focuses on creating interventions to improve pediatric cancer outcomes and reducing treatment abandonment in low resource settings. 

This is a hybrid event with both in-person and remote attendance options. Attendance in person is encouraged. Lunch will be available.