What Are Marginalized Communities
and Why They Matter

Marginalized communities are groups of people who have less access to power, resources, and safety because of how systems are built. This can show up in health care as fewer screenings, later diagnoses, and worse outcomes. Naming marginalization is not about labels. It is about fixing barriers so everyone can get care that works.

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Who we mean by “marginalized”

This project welcomes anyone who feels pushed aside or left out. Examples include

• Black, Latino, Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, and multiracial communities

• LGBTQ+ people

• Immigrants and people with limited English

• Rural and Tribal communities

• People with low income or without stable insurance

• People with disabilities, including invisible disabilities

• People who were dismissed by providers or faced bias

• Young adults under 50 who are often told they are “too young” for colorectal cancer

• Caregivers and families who struggle to be heard

• If you do not see yourself on this list, you still belong. Tell us how the system has failed you and what would help.

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What marginalization looks like in real life

• Long travel for care or no local specialist

• Clinics that do not take your insurance or have long waits

• Dismissed symptoms or pain not taken seriously

• Fear of medical bills or lost wages

• Few providers who speak your language

• Forms and rooms that assume one kind of body or one kind of family

• Online info that does not reflect your culture, age, or identity

• Why this matters in colorectal cancer

• Screening can prevent cancer or catch it early

• Barriers mean people get screened less often

• Delays lead to later stage diagnoses

• Later stage diagnoses are harder to treat

• Trust and respect change everything. When people feel seen, they come back for care

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Our commitment

• Put real patient voices at the center

• Design tools that are simple, private, and practical

• Offer options that fit real life such as FIT, Cologuard, or colonoscopy with support

• Share information in plain language and in more than one language

• Ask for consent at every step and honor your privacy choices

• Work with community partners, not on top of them

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How we include you

• Story collection with clear consent and review options

• Myth vs Fact pages that address stigma and fear

• Talk to your doctor scripts you can use today

• Find low cost screening with links to local options

• Provider toolkit to help clinics serve you better

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Respectful language we use

• Person first. “Person living with Stage IV” instead of only “Stage IV patient”

• Your name and pronouns, as you choose

• Accurate terms for identity and family

• Clear choices on how you want to be identified in public or kept private

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Questions we hear often

Is “marginalized” a label I have to claim
No. It is a way to describe barriers so we can remove them.

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What if I want to share my story but stay private
You can use an alias, limit details, choose text only, and approve sensitive content before posting.

 

What if I had a bad experience in care
You can name it. We will listen. We can also connect you with resources that may help.

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Words to know

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Access
Your ability to get the right care at the right time.

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Bias
Unfair treatment or assumptions that affect care and trust.

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Screening
Tests that look for signs of cancer before you feel sick.

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Equity
Making sure each person gets what they need to be healthy.

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Call to action
Every person deserves care that fits their life. Start with a simple step.

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