Research to identify breast cancer disparities

Sep 18 2009

In an effort to continue to deliver on its vision of a world without breast cancer, Susan G. Komen for the Cure,((R) )San Diego conducted an in-depth, county-wide research and community needs assessment to identify disparities in breast cancer across populations. Komen San Diego conducts a Community Profile every two years to ensure its programs are meeting the breast health services needs in San Diego County. This recent report unveiled important data that will guide the Affiliate's strategic activities as it looks to close gaps and ensure equal care, education, treatment and resources to all populations in the county.

"This is the first-ever in-depth study on breast cancer completed in San Diego County. While some of the statistics are alarming, we feel empowered by the data, which has helped us identify the populations most in need of breast health services and identify gaps in services that must be reduced to improve breast health among members of our community," said Laura Farmer Sherman, executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego. "We now know where the needs are, and we can pursue opportunities to fill those needs, establish granting priorities, focus our education needs, and drive public policy with a clear direction and strategy to make a bigger impact where it's needed."

Community Profile Conclusions

To complete its Community Profile, Komen San Diego engaged a broad base of key experts and stakeholders, reviewed existing secondary data and discussion, and collected direct feedback from survivors. Based on analysis of breast cancer statistics in San Diego County, there were three target areas selected for in-depth study: minority women, young women, and breast health providers. The minority women in this study included: African-Americans, Latinas, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, immigrants, refugees, lesbians, and transgender men and women.

Following are key conclusions of the study:

• More people are being diagnosed with breast cancer in San Diego County than anywhere else in California
• The good news - "if you can call it that," said Farmer Sherman, is that San Diego has a higher incidence of diagnosis at an early, non-invasive, stage. That means chances of survival are nearly 98 percent
• However, in San Diego, minority women are less likely to receive screenings and be diagnosed at early stage (especially African-Americans) than Caucasians
• Incidence highest among African Americans, followed by Caucasians
• And, that meant African Americans had highest breast cancer mortality rate
• Young women (<40) less likely to receive clinical screenings than older women
• Providers lack information for survivors
• Overall, the North Coastal, North Inland, and East regions lacked services, while the Central, North Central, and South regions were the most resourced. Although, this may be related to population density within the regions, there were no diagnosis or treatment sites located in or near Borrego Springs (in North Inland) or Rancho Santa Fe (in North Coastal), two of the cities with the highest incidence and mortality rates in San Diego County
• Providers do not have staff to serve non-English speaking clients. Providers frequently did not speak the language of their clients. Languages with the largest needs were Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Farsi, Somali, Cantonese, and Korean
• Perceived barriers to accessing breast healthcare included lack of awareness, financial and cultural barriers and emotional factors, such as fear
• According to study participants, increased advocacy, education, provider training and funding for services, such as transportation and screening would contribute to improvements in the breast health system in San Diego County

Farmer Sherman added: "At Susan G. Komen for the Cure we believe everyone deserves the same opportunity to become breast cancer survivors and to have an assurance that their future healthcare needs are properly managed. As a survivor myself, I understand the importance of having access to information and resources that guide women in their journeys to survival. We are going to keep working hard to do everything we can to close the gaps in San Diego County and ensure our community needs are met."

Action Plan

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is focused on reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality within the next decade with increased emphasis on finding solutions for disparities in breast cancer across populations. Community grants will be made to support evidence-based strategies and promising practices to reduce disparities in breast cancer mortality in San Diego County.

Drawing from evidence-based information from its Community Profile and other local and national studies, Komen San Diego has identified the following priority populations, geographic target areas and programmatic priorities for its 2010 Community Grants Program:

Financial and Navigation Issues: Increase the availability of financial resources for diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment in San Diego County among uninsured and underinsured women. Partner or collaborate on resources to help patients and their families' access and navigate the resources that are available.

Providers: Increase competency among providers for breast health protocols and cultural/linguistic sensitivity. Partner with professional organizations to study/create/implement culturally sensitive continuing education and track progress.

Underserved Populations: Programs that seek to reduce late-stage diagnosis and mortality among underserved groups of women. Many groups of women are currently at higher risk due to lack of education about breast health, cultural/linguistic barriers, lack of available diagnostic services and late stage diagnosis. There are proportionally more such underserved women in the African American, Latina, Pacific Islander, Asian, Lesbian/Transgender and Homeless communities.

Young Women at Risk: Provide screening, diagnostic, treatment and support services for women under 40 with a family history or palpable mass; to decrease late-stage diagnosis and mortality rate by increasing partnerships with organizations that predominantly serve young women, especially underserved young women; to increase awareness of breast health and breast cancer and the availability of culturally appropriate and relevant breast health materials for young women.

For a complete copy of the Profile Report, please contact [email protected]">[email protected]. For additional information Susan G. Komen for the Cure, please visit the national Web site at www.komen.org, or the San Diego Affiliate Web site at www.sdkomen.org.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

September 26: Fashion for a Green Future - Ecologique Fashion Show Fashion for a Green Future is a fantastic high fashion runway show and reception dedicated to the "green couture" movement. Designs will include sustainable, organic, eco-friendly and recycled materials. Proceeds from ticket sales to the fashion show will be donated to the San Diego Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R). To learn more and to purchase tickets, contact Andrea Krystine at [email protected]">[email protected]

September 27: Knit-in for the Cure at Yarning for You in San Marcos

Come celebrate knitting, friendship, women, survival, generosity and community. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., grab some yarn and needles and whip up something fabulous at this event at the beautiful Yarning for You in San Marcos. Door prizes! Refreshments! And Yarning for You will give all who participates a 15% discount on your next yarn purchase! The store also serves as a collection point for all Knit In items - which will be offered at the November 1 Race for the Cure. Proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego. RSVP by calling 760-744-5648 or www.yarningforyou.com.

October 17 and 18: Survivor Crop Scrapbooking Marathon

You and your friends will be cast away on an island with only scrapbooking supplies for 24 hours! Sponsored by Vista-based Ever After Scrapbooks, this fun-filled event is held at Oceanside's Quantum Learning Campus. There will be lots of fun and creativity during the 24-hour "marathon" including make and take albums, games, raffles, food and prizes for all. The annual event begins at 9 a.m. on Oct. 17 and concludes at 9 a.m. on Oct. 18.

October 25, 2009: Row for the Cure(R)!

Pattie Pinkerton, head coach for UCSD's Women's Rowing, presents the 8th annual Row for the Cure! Rowers and Kayakers of all levels are welcome - you can even sit on a barge and watch the Row go by! Costs range from $25 - $90 depending on whether you're rowing as an individual or on a team, kayaking or observing on the barge. The competition is 2,000 meters or approximately 1.5 miles.

2009 Komen San Diego Race for the Cure(R)

Join us on Sunday, November 1st in Balboa Park.

Up to 75 percent of the funds raised at the Race remain here in San Diego to provide breast health research, diagnostics, screening, treatment, services and education for uninsured or underinsured women. The remaining 25 percent goes to fund national research to discover the causes of breast cancer and, ultimately, its cures.

Why we need your support: Every step counts! Your donation provides women and men in San Diego County with services that have literally saved lives. You help make the following programs possible:

• Free mammograms and diagnostics
• Medical treatment for qualified breast cancer patients who cannot afford care, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation
• Support services including support groups, assistance with finding financial resources, prescription refills and transportation to medical appointments
• Education about the warning signs of breast cancer, methods of early detection and the latest treatment options
• Cutting edge research to find a cure for breast cancer