Meet your researcher: Dr. Jinping Xu
 Dr. Xu’s research seeks to define racial disparities among men with prostate cancer. The research is split into a qualitative study and a quantitative study. Thus far, Dr. Xu has conducted in-depth interviews about how men with prostate cancer came to choose their treatment option, what the men were thinking about when they got diagnosed, and what their doctors had recommended.
“We would ask the men why they chose the treatment they did and why they didn’t choose other methods. The “why not” was sometimes more important to hear.”
Eventually the research will include surveying a larger population of men to see how they make decisions about what treatment options to partake in.
Dr. Xu believes the mortality disparity that exists between whites and minorities begins with a treatment disparity. She believes that this study will allow for a better understanding of why minorities - African Americans in particular, who have a mortality rate two times higher than other men - are less likely to choose definitive therapy involving surgery.
“The American Cancer Society gave me a very generous grant. It has enabled me to do what I wanted to as described by my grant proposal. The American Cancer Society really supports us all.”
Aside from enjoying the spare time the Roomba affords her, Dr. Xu can also be found taking dance exercise classes at the Troy Community Center.
Being an ACS grantee, an assistant professor at Wayne State University Medical School, a family physician, and a mother, Dr. Jinping Xu knows the importance of balancing work and family. While attending an American Cancer Society sponsored new investigator meeting, she was further advised on the importance of balance. But what really caught her attention was a colleague’s recommendation of the Roomba.
“The group of people who attended the meeting were all relatively young and had families. [While people talked about] their experiences [balancing work and family], someone mentioned buying a Roomba and how happy they were with it. So I bought one and I love it. It really helps me out,” said Dr. Xu.
The Roomba is a small, round robotic vacuum cleaner that is programmed to vacuum your house for you whenever you are away. This device allows Dr. Xu to enjoy more free time at home with her family, including partaking in piano lessons with her eight-year-old daughter.
“I started taking piano lessons three years ago when my daughter was five. I always admired people who play [and this way, I can] help my daughter with her own playing.”
To learn more about the Society’s research program and funding, visit www.cancer.org/research.
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