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Breast Cancer
Awareness Fundraiser
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Breast cancer is colorblind. And yet breast cancer mortality rates for
minority women are higher than for Caucasian women.
While the overall breast cancer mortality rate has steadily declined
over the past decade, the mortality rate for minority women has not
declined at the same pace. Despite a lower incidence rate, African
American women have a 32 percent higher death rate than Caucasian women.
Among women of Hispanic origin, breast cancer is more frequently
diagnosed at a later stage, when fewer treatment options are available.
Only 48.5 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander women 50 years and older
in the U.S. have had a mammogram or clinical breast exam within the last
two years, the lowest rate of screening among all racial/ethnic groups.
Breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death among Chinese,
Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese and Korean women. Shouldn't we all have a
chance to survive this awful disease?
Steps Komen Has Taken to Address Disparities:
Advisory Councils - To aid Komen in its efforts to reach
minority communities with the breast health information that is
culturally appropriate, the Komen Foundation has three specific
population advisory councils: the African American National Advisory
Council (AANAC), the National Hispanic/Latina Advisory Council (NHLAC)
and the Asian American/Pacific Islander National Advisory Council (AAPINAC).
Their mission is to provide guidance and direction related to programs
designed to reduce the disparities in mortality of breast cancer among
their respective communities.
The AAPIAC was created in response to the needs of the growing U.S.
Asian American and Pacific Islander populations for breast health and
breast cancer information and educational materials that are culturally
specific and appropriate.
The council works with the Foundation in its efforts to raise awareness
about screening mammography, monthly breast self-examination, clinical
breast examinations and treatment options for women with breast cancer
amongst Asian American/Pacific Islander women, and assists the
Foundation in its goal to lower the rates of breast cancer mortality and
morbidity among Asian American and Pacific Islander women.
Intercultural Cancer Council - The Komen Foundation is a
founding sponsor of the Intercultural Cancer Council. The Intercultural
Cancer Council (ICC) promotes policies, programs, partnerships and
research to eliminate the unequal burden of cancer among racial and
ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations in the United
States and its associated territories. Komen has provided financial
support and currently holds seats on their Board of Directors.
Educational Materials - The Education Department produces
materials for specific populations including BSE cards for African
American, Arabic, Hispanic/Latina, Vietnamese, Chinese and Russian.
Additionally, almost all of the educational materials have been
translated and adapted for the Hispanic/Latina audience.
Diversity Training- The overall goal of the
diversity-training program is to extend the reach of Breast Cancer
Awareness and Education by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
to priority populations. In 2002 the diversity training was piloted with
five (5) Affiliates. In 2003, the Diversity Training was offered to all
Affiliates through an application process. As a result there are 15
Affiliates involved at this time with the expectation that there will be
more coming on line.
Research - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is
dedicated to funding breast health and breast cancer research. We have
targeted request for applications for Population-Specific research. The
population specific research program involves innovative research
projects focusing on the epidemiology of breast cancer within specific
populations at risk for the disease. The focus of the program is to
identify unique needs, trends, and barriers to breast health care among
specific populations such as African American, Native Hawaiian and
Pacific Islanders, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American,
Lesbian, Low Literacy, Breast Cancer Survivors, Women with Disabilities
and other defined communities. In 2002-2003 eight Population-Specific
grants were funded totaling $1,883,675.
The Komen Foundation has focused on breast health and breast cancer
education and on awareness for the past 20 years. Although much progress
has been made, disparities still exist among women who have breast
cancer. We know that the awareness message has not reached every woman
in every facet of our communities. So, the Komen Foundation will
continue to target and empower specific populations. The Komen
Foundation is dedicated to bringing an end to breast cancer for all
women and men. With the vital work of the Komen Foundation and other key
organizations such as the ICC, there is great potential for improved
breast cancer statistics among all racial and ethnic groups.
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