Disparities in breast cancer care and research: report from a Breast Cancer Research Foundation sponsored workshop, 9-10 October 2014.

Karen M Freund,On Behalf Of The Workshop Participants ,Dawn L Hershman,Patricia A Ganz,Electra D Paskett,Beverly Canin

doi:10.1038/npjbcancer.2015.13

Abstract

The purpose of this workshop was to bring together diverse stakeholders from the breast cancer research community to discuss critical issues related to disparities in breast cancer care and to identify potential strategies for reducing disparities and inequities in care through research. The workshop format included a series of formal content presentations, participation in break out groups that focused on specific topics highlighted in the content presentations, reporting back of findings and a facilitated discussion that focused on shaping a research agenda. The workshop members concluded that numerous groups of women are at increased risk for disparities in breast cancer care: many patients and survivors suffer disproportionately from inadequate access to high-quality diagnosis and treatment, resulting in more frequent and severe adverse outcomes from the disease. Research on breast cancer disparities provides a major opportunity for reducing the burden of breast cancer. Thus, it is important for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other research funders to consider how to best promote research focused on ensuring breast cancer health equity.

Highlights

AND PURPOSE OF WORKSHOPAt the January 2014 meeting of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) scientific advisory board, members noted that disparities in breast cancer care and outcomes were a growing concern (Figures 1 and 2)
BCRF investigator, Dr Electra Paskett, from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, cited certain statistics related to rural populations: 72% of the geographical US is rural; 15% of the population resides in rural areas; 2.8 million cancer survivors live in rural areas of the US
A major theme that permeated the discussion was the importance of acknowledging the high societal cost of disparities in breast cancer care

Summary

INTRODUCTION

At the January 2014 meeting of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) scientific advisory board, members noted that disparities in breast cancer care and outcomes were a growing concern (Figures 1 and 2). Among the topics considered for discussion were the widening gaps in survival, even while there has been extraordinary progress in basic, translational, and clinical research yielding more effective new treatments To address these concerns, a subsequent workshop was held, bringing together researchers, clinicians, public policy professionals, community leaders, and patient advocates, to identify opportunities and challenges in the conduct of research focused on disparities in breast cancer care and outcomes. Dr Ferrans explained the process of building the local task force, identifying the needs and forming recommendations that could have a measureable impact on breast cancer disparities She shared successes and challenges in implementing recommendations, such as lack of financial resources to support program recommendations, lack of access to quality mammography, and cultural barriers to screening and treatment. Major outcomes of the effort were passage of the Illinois Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities Act, creation of the Breast Cancer Quality Consortium to improve mammography quality and expansion of the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program to cover all uninsured women in Illinois, for screening, diagnosis, and treatment

SUMMARY OF CORE PRESENTATIONS

Hispanic white 5 Asian American

Findings

CONCLUSIONS