From genetics to the environment, many factors affect your risk of cancer. Responsible for promoting the goals of cancer prevention, early detection, and quality treatment through cancer research and education, Dr. Brawley champions efforts to decrease smoking, improve diet, and provide the critical support cancer patients need. You can reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices and following recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early. Get the facts on what you can do to help protect yourself and your loved ones. “I’d much rather prevent a cancer, than have to diagnose and treat and cure it.”

As an acknowledged global leader in the field of health disparities research, Dr. Brawley is a key leader in the Society’s work to eliminate disparities in access to quality cancer care. Cancer affects different populations differently, and minority groups in the United States continue to bear a disproportionate cancer burden. Much of this difference is due to factors like poverty and lack of access to prevention/detection services and high-quality treatment. Dr. Brawley will share research to help understand barriers to health care and create strategies for overcoming them.

As an oncologist with a dazzling clinical, research, and policy career, Dr. Brawley’s journey from a childhood in the gang-ridden streets of black Detroit, to the green hallways of Grady Memorial Hospital and onto the boardrooms of The American Cancer Society―results in a passionate view of medicine and a deep understanding of healthcare today. Brawley calls for rational healthcare, healthcare drawn from results-based, scientifically justifiable treatments. There is an overtreatment of the rich, the under treatment of the poor and the financial conflicts of interest that many times determine the care a patient receives. How We Do Harm is a well-reasoned manifesto for change, and Dr. Brawley will challenge all of us-- physicians, patients, and communities-- to recommit ourselves to the pledge to 'do no harm.