Did You Know?
This year, nearly 4,200 women in Massachusetts received a breast cancer diagnosis. More than 890 of them died from the disease. Low-income women have lower screening rates, are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, and are three times more likely to die from the disease.
Did You Know?
Racial and ethnic minorities are often left out of clinical research trials, one of many reasons why breast cancer is deadlier for some women than others. Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death to Latina women in Massachusetts.
Public Policy Challenge
Massachusetts has a successful program that provides screening and early detection services to low-income and uninsured and underinsured women in the state called the Massachusetts Women's Health Network (WHN). The Komen Massachusetts called on the legislature to continue it's investment in women with $6 million in funds for the 20089 budget. With no cure for breast cancer and no way to prevent it, early detection is truly the key to survival and all women - whether they can afford health care or not - deserve the same chance to live.
The Events
Despite blinding sunlight and heat, startling State House fire alarms and sprinkles of rain on the State House front lawn, the momentum of the Massachusetts Komen Community Challenge events could not be dampened. This Community Challenge was a great success and brought breast cancer related policy, science, and education to Massachusetts residents.
On April 10, 2007, the Komen Massachusetts Affiliate hosted a symposium at Harvard Medical School featuring renowned breast cancer researchers, politicos and activists like: Dr. Eric Winer, MD, Chief Science Advisor for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Director of the Breast Oncology Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Nick Littlefield, Partner, Foley Hoag and former Staff Director and Chief Counsel for Senator Edward Kennedy; Dr. Steven Isakoff, M.D. Ph.D., Assistant in Medicine, MGH Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Judy Garber, M.D. M.P.H., Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Director, Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Erin DeRosa, Breast Cancer Survivor; Dr. Margaret Barton-Burke, Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Dr. James Michaelson, Ph.D., Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School & Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital; and Dr. Laura Collins, M.B.B.S., Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Associate Director, Division of Anatomic Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, shared the stage to discuss the state of breast cancer research and policy.Dr. Brian Gibbs, PhD, Director of the Program to Eliminate Health Disparities, Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard School of Public Health, and an expert in health disparities, moderated these informative discussions and used the forum to remind attendees that saving lives is at the center of research and advocacy efforts. More than 100 people attended this event.
On April 11, 2007, more than 100 breast cancer survivors and advocates of the Komen Massachusetts Affiliate joined State Senator Wilkerson and State Representative Koutoujian joined together in calling on House leaders to commit to closing the gaps in research, public policy and access to quality care. Athene Glover-Wilson, Director of the Greater Boston Chapter of the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer and vocalist, kicked off the event with a riveting vocal performance. Panel discussions around health disparities, and moving personal stories from Christina Moya and Augusta Williams, breast cancer survivors, rounded out these engaging activities.
Local media was on hand at both events. Thanks to this coverage, Massachusetts residents who were not able to attend the events were able to see the impact the Komen Community Challenge had on the local community.
