Cathy Bradley, PhD, and Lindsay M. Sabik, PhD, discussed the disparities between men and women in the cancer care space during a recent CancerNetwork® Breaking Barriers: Women in Oncology segment. Bradley is the dean and professor at Colorado School of Public Health and Deputy Director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, while Sabik is an associate professor and Vice Chair for Research in Health Policy Management at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and a member of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
The two women shared their experiences of balancing professional responsibilities with personal tasks while advancing in their careers. Bradley talked about how she started a family early in her career by having her first child within a year of accepting her first academic position. She highlighted the challenges women face when caring for children, going through pregnancy, and handling personal responsibilities. Sabik added that societal expectations about women’s roles can create an additional burden both professionally and personally, making it challenging to prioritize tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities.
Bradley emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to create a more equitable environment for women in cancer care and public health fields. She highlighted how addressing these disparities would not only benefit women but also improve healthcare outcomes for everyone involved. Sabik agreed with Bradley’s sentiment, stating that creating a more inclusive environment would help attract more diverse talent to these fields.
In conclusion, Bradley and Sabik’s discussion on disparities between men and women highlights the importance of creating a more equitable environment for all individuals working in cancer care and public health fields. Their experiences underscore the need for addressing these disparities to improve healthcare outcomes for everyone involved.
