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jackie hunter As you follow Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October, you may hear the following stats: One in her eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s a devastating number. This means that so many families are affected by this disease, myself included. I would like to highlight some other breast cancer statistics relevant to health equity. This demonstrates the urgent need to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in health care.
- According to the latest statistics from the American Cancer Society, black women have a 40% higher breast cancer mortality rate than white women. Black women have “poor survival rates across all stages and subtypes” of the disease.
- Black and Native American/Alaska Native women have a higher mortality rate than white women, despite having a lower incidence of breast cancer.
- Hispanic and Latino women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer later than white women, according to the Susan G. Komen organization.
- According to the American Cancer Society, in 2019, only 37% of uninsured women had breast cancer screenings, compared to 70% of those with private insurance. was. Only 47% of those identified as “recent immigrants” were screened.
- Studies show that the LGBTQ community has a higher risk of breast cancer. Komen says lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to be tested, partly because of fear of discrimination.
- Men get breast cancer too. Although rare, men with breast cancer have lower survival rates than women, with experts citing stigma, lack of awareness, and lack of screening as reasons.
Great strides have been made in the fight against breast cancer. This includes excellent research by researchers at the University of Vermont Health Network and the University of Vermont Cancer Center. Breast cancer overall survival has reached 91% for him five years after diagnosis. But as the American Cancer Society points out, “not all women benefit equally from advances in early detection and treatment of breast cancer”. .
My mother-in-law battled breast cancer for over 20 years until she passed away in 2020. I am grateful to the medical community for staying culturally humble and allowing me to ask questions throughout this difficult journey. But many patients and families do not have the same experience, and the persistent disparities seen in breast cancer screening and diagnosis lead to lost time and lost lives.Health equity is a matter of life and death. is. By focusing on health equity and meeting patients where they are, healthcare providers can make a difference for everyone they serve.
Jackie Hunter, DC, MHA, serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for UVM Health Network.
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