Closing the Disparity Gap and Optimizing HCC Care in the Hispanic Community

Much progress has been made in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including improved screening and surveillance guidelines and greater understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular pathways in HCC that has led to targeted treatment. Despite such progress, significant race and ethnicity-specific disparities in HCC remain, particularly among Hispanics, who are more likely to present late and less likely to receive any HCC-directed treatment. This may be due to increased exposures to well known risk factors, such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and diabetes mellitus, in turn resulting in the development of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/ Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) leading to HCC development; however, population genetics may predispose this unique cohort to a greater propensity of developing HCC compared to other race groups. Complex psychosocial factors that further complicate disparities seen in HCC include the degree of acculturation within subpopulations of the Hispanic community, access to healthcare, and provider-specific variables of HCC screening and surveillance of at-risk patients. Improved awareness in screening and surveillance modalities of HCC among Hispanics are important in guiding targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions. To optimize care, clinicians must be vigilant about recognizing and addressing these disparities in care; and must also ensure and work towards Hispanic patients with HCC benefiting from the growing range of HCC management options.

Target Audience

Medical oncologists, interventional radiologists, radiologists, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and oncology advanced practice providers, as well as nurses and other professionals involved in the management of patients with HCC

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

  • Recognize the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within Hispanic communities and factors leading to HCC-related healthcare disparities
  • Identify the risk factors for HCC among the Hispanic population that play an important role in the development of HCC, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), environmental exposures, and population genetics
  • Propose better community preventative and surveillance strategies to improve health outcomes within Hispanic populations

Additional Information

Partner: 
myCME
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
  • 1.00 ANCC
Course opens: 
09/30/2020
Course expires: 
09/30/2021
Rating: 
0

Julio Gutierrez, MSc, MD
Transplant Hepatologist
Center for Organ and Cell Transplant
Scripps Clinic
Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center
San Diego, CA

Dr. Gutierrez has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Faculty Reviewers

Elena Rios, MD, MSPH, FACP
President & CEO
National Hispanic Medical Association
Washington, DC

Dr. Rios has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Rita Lepe, MD
Director, Health Care Disparity Studies
Texas Liver Institute
San Antonio, TX

Dr. Lepe has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, the UT Health Long School of Medicine and Haymarket Medical Education require that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. The UT Health Long School of Medicine and Haymarket Medical Education resolve all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Participants are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this activity is for continuing medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options for a specific patient's medical condition.

Commercial Supporter

Supported by an educational grant from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

Jointly Accredited by the UT Health San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and Haymarket Medical Education (HME) in collaboration with National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA).

AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM

Accreditation Statement

The UT Health Long School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

The UT Health Long School of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ANCC Contact Hour

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, Haymarket Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

Designation Statement

This activity is awarded 1.00 contact hour (based on 60 minutes per contact hour).

Accredited Provider Disclosure

The UT Health Long School of Medicine and Haymarket Medical Education staffs, additional planners, and reviewers in a position to control the content of this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
  • 1.00 ANCC
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