Minority Health: Breast Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 180,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States and more than 40,000 will die from the disease in 2007. In New York State, nearly 13,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 2,700 will die from the disease.

Breast Cancer in Minorities

• Breast Cancer is the most common cancer among African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women
• From 1999 to 2003, the incidence rate of breast cancer was 17% lower in African American women than in white women. However during the same period, African American women had a 35% higher death rate from breast cancer than white women.
• African American women with breast cancer also have a lower 5-year survival rate compared to white women.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic women.

Periodic screening mammography has been shown to save lives by detecting breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. Yet, this important screening test is underutilized, especially in some minority populations. IPRO is currently working under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve utilization of preventive health services including breast cancer screening among minority Medicare beneficiaries.

For more information, contact Terry Mahotière, MD, MPH, Medical Officer at tmahotiere@nyqio.sdps.org

News

• Study Shows Mammography Rate Dropping
• Less Than Half of N.Y. Female Medicare Beneficiaries Receive Mammograms.