Why New York?
New York State has the tenth highest rate of breast cancer mortality in the United States. The Komen Community Challenge came to New York to raise awareness about breast cancer and its disparities, and to "Close the Gap" in access to high-quality breast health care.
Did You Know?
In 2007, some 12,580 women in New York were diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,670 lost their battle with the disease.
Did You Know?
In New York, white women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than black women, yet black women are more likely to die from the disease.
Public Policy Challenges
The Komen Community Challenge enabled the Greater New York Affiliate to build and strengthen relationships with state decision makers and the New York breast cancer community. As part of the Community Challenge, the Greater New York Affiliate released a report, "Through the Wrong Door," [http://www.komennyc.org] which described the gaps in New York's public health policies that make breast cancer deadlier for low-income, uninsured and minority women. The report called on state leaders to expand eligibility for the state's Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program for breast and cervical cancer treatment, and create a public/private Governor's Task Force to increase utilization of the New York State Cancer Services Program.
The Event
More than 30 people attended a site visit and press conference at the Ryan-NENA Community Health Center -- a Komen grantee and part of the Cancer Services Partnership. The experience gave Komen headquarters and Affiliate board members and staff to meet with local grantees; Advisory Council members; Sheri Scavone, Director of the NYS Cancer Services Program; and Dr. Maureen Killackey, Chair of the NYS Breast and Cervical Cancer Advisory Council.
Next Steps
The Greater New York Affiliate will continue building and strengthening relationships with state decision makers and will continue to fight for key goals included in the "Through the Wrong Door" report, including changing the current structure of the Cancer Services Partnership to allow all eligible uninsured women to access to the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program (MCTP) for breast and cervical cancer treatment, regardless of where they are initially screened. This more inclusive structure should be phased in over a two-year period, allowing time for planning and needed adjustments. By modifying New York State's implementation of the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program, we will take a major step in closing gaps in access to treatment and help save women's lives.
The Affiliate will also work to establish the Public/Private Governor's Taskforce to increase utilization of the New York State Cancer Services Partnership. The Task Force will be mandated to create a plan with goals to screen 100 percent of eligible uninsured women within four years. This goal will be met gradually with the interim objectives of reaching 50 percent of women after two years and 75 percent of women after three years. Without a cure for breast cancer, early detection remains the most important means of survival.
The Community Challenge is Komen's special brand of pink-ribbon activism at its very best. Be a part of it! Sign up here to receive email updates about the New York Komen Community Challenge so you don't miss out.
