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The cost of cancer care extends far beyond a dollar amount, which in and of itself can be enough to bankrupt lower class families, certain members of racial and ethnic minorities, and those without health insurance. By 2030, the nationwide cost of cancer treatment is expected to surpass $245 billion, coming up from $208.9 billion in 2020. It’s the number two leading cause of death nationwide. During treatment, many patients and their caregivers don’t have the ability work full-time or at all, lowering household income staggeringly. Across communities, geographical factors play a role with rural patients facing challenges in accessing specialized treatments and care facilities. Cultural and communication barriers also play a role in hindering effective communication between providers and patients, and without resources to finance these endeavors or communicate needs, many are left struggling and feeling alone.
Enter Dr. Jessica Ohemeng-Dapaah, who earned her medical degree in Ghana before moving to the U.S. to pursue specialized training in internal medicine. Now focused on hematology-oncology, she is an industry leader in research efforts aimed at bringing solutions for cancer to those who are in most desperate need. While cancer treatment is expensive and draining, the use of AI and machine learning to detect cancers earlier and at lower costs, FLASH radiotherapy (the delivery of high radiation doses in an accelerated timeline, reducing toxicity to normal tissue), the ongoing development of vaccines, and advances to existing therapies point to a future with more accessible care. Her goal is to make available targeted interventions to improve care equity across diverse groups rather than allowing cancer treatment to be based on socioeconomic hierarchy, race, or any other discriminating factor.
“Whether due to enhanced detection or increased risk factors, the incidence of cancer continues to rise,” Dr. Ohemeng-Dapaah explains. “However, throughout my medical career, I have witnessed the impact of innovations and novel therapies that are significantly improving the outcomes and survival rates of people with cancer. Through my various encounters with these patients, I have been inspired to join the mission in fighting this insidious disease.” Her work has led her to focus too on preventative screenings with the goal of catching any warning signs as early as possible. Cancer treatment, while effective, can be wholly debilitating, and often toxic to the body. Preventative screening identifies precancerous lesions that can be treated with less invasive intervention. For example, precancerous polyps can be removed during colonoscopies to block the growth of colon cancer, and pap smears or HPV tests can pinpoint cervical anomalies before they progress. Cancer is one of the most expensive medical conditions to treat in the U.S. while also being one of the most common, and the patients are weighed down by this burden alongside the economy as a whole. It is a problem that affects everyone, whether they realize it or not.
“One thing I wish more people understood is that cancer care is not just about treating the disease—it’s about treating the whole person,” she says. “Beyond chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, it involves supporting patients emotionally, managing side effects, and improving quality of life. Every patient’s journey is unique, and even when a cure isn’t possible, compassionate care can still make a profound difference.” This mindset she hopes will leave a lasting impact on communities and families affected by cancer as they move through a world where perhaps not everything turns out the way they hoped, but it is all handled with integrity and kindness. Dr. Ohemeng-Dapaah hopes to offer significant insights shaped by her diverse experience that will help guide healthcare providers and policymakers in allocating resources to improve healthcare for all.
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This content is brought to you by Melissa Moraes.
Photo provided by the author.
