B Chu, MD MPH and V H Dunn, MD MPH. New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, 125 Worth Street, Room 507, New York, NY 10013, 212 788-3330, chubmd@nychhc.org

Background: Mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. Yet, many low income women and racial/ethnic minorities still do not undergo mammography. Although white women have a higher incidence of breast cancer than black women, the mortality rate is higher in black women than white women. Black women are more likely to present in late stage of disease at diagnosis (47% of cases were stages III and IV). In 1997, the NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation launched a breast cancer screening initiative to ensure that all women 40 years and over would receive an annual screening mammogram regardless of her ability to pay. We serve an ethnically diverse patient base (42% Hispanic, 37% African American, 6% Asian, 8% Other Minority and 7% Caucasian) and 480,000 are uninsured. Our hypothesis was that by offering free, accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate, and physician supported early detection services, women would be screened for breast cancer and that cancers would be detected at an earlier and curable stage.

Methodology: The impact of breast cancer screening program was evaluated by analyzing the number of breast cancer identified and the stage at diagnosis for all women who underwent a screening mammography in 2002.

Results: 71,161 women were screened for breast cancer. 481 cancers were detected. 82% of the breast cancers diagnosed were stage 2 or lower.

Conclusion: Eliminating financial and cultural barriers to breast cancer screening will increase the number of early stage breast cancers detected and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with late stage disease.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be available to

• Understand the importance of breast cancer screening in communities of color;
• identify intervention strategies to increase breast cancer screening in communities of color; and
• develop effective community outreach and educational collaborative partnerships.

Keywords: Breast Cancer Screening, Ethnic Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.