Supporting Cancer Survivors and Survivorship Programs

WHEREAS, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is committed to promoting health equity and advocating for the well-being of individuals from marginalized and historically underserved communities; and 

WHEREAS, Cancer remains a significant public health challenge in the United States, with millions of individuals diagnosed each year and millions more living as cancer survivors; and 

WHEREAS, Supportive care as part of cancer care is defined as the management of cancer's adverse effects and its treatment, from diagnosis to post-treatment care. It includes the prevention and management of physical and psychological symptoms and side effects, and aims to improve the quality of survivorship, rehabilitation, and end-of-life care; and 

WHEREAS, Cancer survivors face unique physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges resulting from their cancer diagnosis and treatment, including long-term side effects, financial burdens, mental health concerns, and fear of recurrence; and 

WHEREAS, Cancer survivorship programs play a crucial role in supporting the holistic needs of cancer survivors, providing education, resources, counseling, and peer support to help survivors navigate the challenges of life after cancer; and 

WHEREAS, Disparities in access to cancer care and survivorship support services persist, disproportionately affecting individuals from communities of color, who may face barriers such as limited access to healthcare, language barriers, cultural stigma, and socioeconomic challenges; and 

WHEREAS, Addressing the needs of cancer survivors and promoting health equity requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the social determinants of health, promotes culturally competent care, and ensures equitable access to survivorship programs and support services. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) affirms its support for comprehensive supportive cancer care, cancer survivors, and survivorship programs and calls upon policymakers, healthcare providers, community organizations, and stakeholders at all levels to prioritize the needs of cancer survivors, particularly those from communities of color. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) advocates for equitable access to supportive care and survivorship programs, specifically for historically excluded and marginalized populations through the following actions:

• Advocate for Increased Funding: Necessary funding for supportive care and survivorship programs at the federal, state, and local levels to support the development, implementation, and expansion of supportive care and cancer survivorship programs with a focus on reaching underserved communities.
• Promote Culturally Competent Care: Encourage healthcare providers and survivorship programs to provide culturally competent care that addresses the unique needs, beliefs, values, and preferences of cancer survivors from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. 
• Enhance Access to Survivorship Services: Advocate for policies and programs that improve access to survivorship services, including survivorship care plans, survivorship clinics, survivorship navigation services, psychosocial support, and survivorship research opportunities.
• Address Financial Barriers: Advocate for policies to address the financial burdens faced by cancer survivors, including out-of-pocket costs for medical care, prescription drugs, supportive care services, and lost income due to cancer-related disability or caregiving responsibilities.
• Support Survivorship Research: Advocate for increased funding for survivorship research to better understand the long-term effects of cancer treatment, identify disparities in survivorship outcomes, and develop interventions to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.
• Raise Awareness and Reduce Stigma: Promote public awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the needs of cancer survivors, reduce stigma associated with cancer survivorship, and encourage open dialogue about survivorship issues within communities of color. 
• Foster Collaboration and Partnerships: Encourage collaboration among healthcare providers, survivorship programs, community organizations, faith-based institutions, and other stakeholders to coordinate efforts, share resources, and promote survivorship initiatives that meet the needs of diverse communities.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will continue to advocate for policies and programs that promote health equity, support cancer survivors, and improve access to survivorship programs for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.