2011 CPR findings press release

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Julie Evans
520.319.0155
Julie@komenSAZ.org

SOUTHERN ARIZONANS FACE MAJOR OBSTACLES IN BREAST HEALTH TREATMENT, SAYS LOCAL STUDY

Tucson – October 17, 2011 Decreased access to medical insurance, language barriers, and lack of medical resources are hitting Southern Arizonans hard in terms of breast cancer treatment. While sufficient breast health services exist for many in the region other groups are falling through the cracks, according to the 2011 Community Profile Report from Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona.

 “Our findings tell us that we need to re-double our basic message: early detection is the best protection,” said Komen SAZ executive director Jaimie Leopold.

“Your Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona Affiliate is dedicated to our promise of ensuring access to early detection, treatment and support for breast cancer survivors. Eighty-four cents of every dollar raised in this community stays within the community. We are working on ever deeper levels with our community partners across Southern Arizona to help save lives,” she added.

The report’s key findings:

Hispanic, African American and American Indian women are less likely to get screenings, and have lower rates of survival
•    Hispanic, African American and American Indian women are least likely to get regular breast screenings. Among the Native American population two-year screening rates are as low as 17%.
•    African American and American Indian women have consistently lower rates of survival in the first five years after diagnosis. African American women are most likely to be diagnosed during later stages of breast cancer.
•    Low income white women, undocumented Hispanic women and the underinsured or uninsured are also among the groups least likely to get regular breast screenings.
•    Yearly mammography rates remain at around 50% nationally. Data for 2009 shows that 60% of women in Arizona had not had a mammogram in the past year.

Sources: AHCCCS, Arizona Cancer Registry, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, CDC


Breast cancer survivors are in need of more aid, both financial and emotional
•    Among breast cancer survivors surveyed, the main concerns were: the need for financial assistance such as day care and housing subsidies; awareness in the health community about the emotional impact on survivors; the lack of services and transportation assistance in rural areas; and the need for more support groups and information about wigs and prosthesis.
•    There is also uncertainty about how immigration status will affect breast cancer treatment.

Local causes for concern in Southern Arizona
•    White and American Indian women have an 89% five-year survival rate at Stage 1 breast cancer, lower than the national average of 98%. African American women in southern Arizona have the lowest five-year survival rate for Stage 1, at 72%. Hispanic women face an 86% five-year survival rate.

Arizona’s healthcare system is closing the door on many
•    Arizona participates in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) - also known as the Well Woman Health Check. We are an Option 1 state, which means women are eligible for NBCCEDP services only if their clinical services were provided all, or in part, by the state’s NBCCEDP providers. Ultimately, under Option 1, a woman may be denied services simply because she was not screened or diagnosed by a participating NBCCEDP provider. Pima County has only three NBCCEDP providers: St. Elizabeth’s Health Center, Pima County Health Department, and El Pueblo Clinic.

Komen SAZ’s goals as a result of the Community Profile:
•    Improve early detection rates in women and men by at least 10% by 2013.
•    Create a focused campaign for African American, Native American and Hispanic women to reduce late stage breast cancer diagnosis.
•    Ensure that the grant program addresses a change in knowledge, skills and behaviors to improve early detection rates.

For a copy of the Community Profile Report executive summary, click here.

About the 2011 Community Profile Report
The 2011 Community Profile is a comprehensive look at the state of breast cancer in Southern Arizona, in collaboration with health centers, cancer centers and cancer specialists in the region. The findings are based on a needs assessment public health model, including focus groups and community surveys, but are not necessarily scientific.  It also provides a framework to guide Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona into the future, from affecting change in breast cancer needs, to setting priorities for grants and public policy initiatives.


About Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Komen Southern Arizona Affiliate

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever, and in 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Komen Southern Arizona Affiliate is part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer.  Komen SAZ uses its donations to make grants to health centers, clinics and programs to educate and raise awareness about breast cancer, and treat under-insured and uninsured women. For every dollar raised, 75 cents stays in Southern Arizona and 25 cents goes to Komen National to help fund breast cancer research.
    
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