Komen study profiles eight communities nationwide 'most affected' by breast cancer

May 1 2007

Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Thursday released a report that profiles eight communities "most affected" by breast cancer and launched a campaign that aims to curb disparities and remove gaps in breast cancer-related care, the Washington Post reports.

The eight communities profiled in the report, titled "Breast Cancer Mortality Report: Closing the Gaps in Eight Communities," are: Chicago; Madison County, Miss.; Moultrie Country, Ill.; McDowell County, W.Va.; Edgecombe County, N.C.; Harlem, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.; and Wayne County, Mich., which includes Detroit.

According to the report, cultural beliefs and health illiteracy among minority and low-income women contribute to disparities in breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment (Levine, Washington Post , 4/28). According to the report, black, Hispanic and low-income women are the least likely to have access to treatment (Lipscomb, Washington Times, 4/27). The report recommends boosting funding for programs aimed at increasing screenings and access to treatment for minority and low-income women. According to the Post , the programs might include faith-based outreach that focuses on breast cancer, as well as "navigators" who help women schedule medical appointments and procedures. "If we don't have navigators, women will continue to die because their cancer was found too late," Larisa Caicedo, executive director of the Latina cancer support group Nueva Vida, said.

The report found a lack of health care providers, including oncologists and radiologists, and a lack of awareness about breast cancer services, even among physicians, in the eight communities ( Washington Post , 4/28). In addition, the disparity might be exacerbated by large homeless and transient populations because women in such populations are less likely to receive breast cancer screenings, Dwight Randle, senior scientific adviser to Komen for the Cure, said ( Washington Times , 4/27). The report recommends that in addition to screening, breast cancer advocates should "consider a breast cancer mortality reduction package," as well as expand existing programs to reach more women and offer treatment when necessary, the Post reports ( Washington Post , 4/28).

The report found that the district's breast cancer mortality rate of 33.7 deaths per 100,000 residents is about one-third higher than the national average of 26 deaths per 100,000 residents ( Washington Times , 4/27). Wayne County and McDowell County had breast cancer mortality rates of 30.9 deaths per 100,000 people and 45.7 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively, the report found. In addition, the report found 147.8 breast cancer diagnoses per 100,000 people in the district, compared with 133.1 diagnoses per 100,000 people in New York City and 185.3 diagnoses per 100,000 people in Edgecombe County.

According to the Post , breast cancer survivors and advocates from 34 states on Thursday held a "close the gap" rally in the district to encourage lawmakers to increase funding for breast cancer programs ( Washington Post , 4/28). As part of the campaign, breast cancer survivors and advocates plan to host community rallies, town hall meetings and state lobby days in 25 cities nationwide (Susan G. Komen for the Cure release, 4/26).