Highlighting Breast Health Resources and Breast Cancer Occurrence in Southeast Wisconsin
Breast cancer awareness month is conducted every October to raise awareness about breast health. Approximately, 4,000 women in Wisconsin die each year as a result of breast cancer.1 Although breast cancer mortality rates in the state are declining,1 it is still the most common newly diagnosed form of cancer in Wisconsin women.2 The disease's prevalence, coupled with disparities in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer in women who are minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged,3,4 make it a particularly significant concern to women in southeast Wisconsin. It is increasingly important to both educate women about screening and treatment options as well as examine disparities in the screening and treatment of minority women.
This year the Milwaukee Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure®, Aurora Health Care and the Center for Urban Population Health have partnered to identify challenges related to breast cancer in southeast Wisconsin. Aurora Health Care has generously provided the financial support to facilitate the work of this partnership. The three organizations are cooperating to create a breast cancer community profile. The partnership will analyze data related to breast cancer incidence in southeast Wisconsin. Then the community profile will determine the needs related to breast cancer by conducting surveys of area providers to catalogue breast health screening and educational resources available to women. Next, the organizations will interview community members in targeted areas to understand how to better address the disparities in the incidence and treatment of this condition. These activities will help create a comprehensive look at the state of breast cancer in our region.
Community profiles in past years have highlighted the prevalence of breast cancer across different populations of women in southeast Wisconsin. Past projects have also helped to shed light on factors that may be barriers to the detection of breast cancer. Fear, lack of access and awareness all posed challenges to the detection and treatment of breast cancer in southeast Wisconsin. The 2008 community profile will also serve to identify funding priorities for the Milwaukee Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
This partnership highlights the Center's strength in focusing on community-based research that addresses local population health needs. It also demonstrates the Center's commitment to translating research into action in the community that it serves by helping to raise awareness of the importance of early screening and detection and addressing disparities in breast health and breast cancer outcomes. If you have any questions about this project please feel free to contact us or send us a message.
The Center's mission: advancing population health research and education to improve the health of urban communities, guides this project. This project also highlights the Center's commitment to the educational component of its mission, by working to increase access to information about breast health in southeast Wisconsin.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure's vision is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all and energizing science to find the cures. Komen works toward this vision by: building awareness, education, support and screening for breast health; funding for breast cancer programs in the community, supporting programs for under-served women; acting as clearinghouse for breast health information in areas we serve; and utilizing a network of survivors, activists, and dedicated staff, to expand our reach and results.
Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers care at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.
1ACS. Wisconsin Cancer Facts & Figures Report, 2007. Waukesha: American Cancer Society Midwest Division Inc: 2007: 1-63.
2Bastin KT. Cancer trends in Wisconsin: 1988 to 1996. WMJ 1999; 98(4):32-6.
3Elmore JG, Nakano CY, Linden HM, Reisch LM, Ayanian JZ, and Larson EB. Racial Inequities in the Timing of Breast Cancer Detection, Diagnosis, and Initiation of Treatment. Medical Care 2005; 43(2):141-148.
4Lannin DR, Mathews HF, Mitchell J, Swanson MS, Swanson FH, Edwards MS. Influence of Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors on Racial Differences in Late-Stage Presentation of Breast Cancer. JAMA 1998; 279(22): 1801-1807.
