Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reported that black women live three years less than white women affected with breast cancer. Tara Parker-Pope writes in her New York Times “Well” blog, Black-White Divide Persists in Breast Cancer, from July 23, that while we have known about this for quite some time, questions about the reasons for this disparity remain.
The University of Pennsylvania researchers attempted a new method of analysis that looks at demographics, treatment differences, genetic differences, and other influences.
The department of Community Health at Overlook Medical Center has been working to address this issue with the support of the Susan G Komen North Jersey Race for the Cure for several years. Through education and promotion of early detection and free mammograms we have been providing this service to our community, working through our faith based partners, with the help of two outreach educators. These health educators not only work through houses of worship, but are also in homes and at the locations where the women meet, such as nail and hair salons, community centers and through personal in-home workshops.
Joyce Passen, MBA, BSN, is manager of Community Health at Overlook Medical Center and has been serving the community as a health educator for 23 years.