Breast Cancer Screening Disparities

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Disparities are seen in breast cancer screening rates by poverty level, geography, and insurance type. The Colorado Cancer Plan has prioritized the following goals to help decrease these disparities:

– Increase the number of women age 50+ in poverty (under 250% FPL) who had a mammogram in the last two years from 61.3% in 2014 to 81.1% by 2020.

– Increase the number of women age 50+ who live in rural or frontier counties who had a mammogram in the last two years from 66% in 2014 to 81.1% in 2020.

– Increase the number of women age 50+ who have Health First Colorado (Medicaid) who had a mammogram in the last 2 years from 69.3% in 2014 to 81.1% in 2020.

CancerPlanBreastCancerDisparities

 

Strategies:

  • Increase access to cancer screening services, including colonoscopy, mammography and low- dose lung CT screening, in rural areas by implementing mobile services, traveling providers, upgraded equipment or increased Medicaid reimbursement.
  • Partner with community-based organizations to reduce barriers (financial, cultural, structural or regional) to obtaining cancer screening services through engagement of community health workers and patient navigators.
  • Provide culturally relevant screening services for medically underserved communities and promote culturally sensitive informed decision-making about screening through engagement of community health workers and patient navigators.
  • Facilitate enrollment in public and private health insurance.
  • Educate Medicaid-eligible Coloradans about their cancer screening coverage, including locations that accept Medicaid.
  • Address limited local provider access for individuals due to insurance coverage, insurance plans accepted by providers, or provider capacity.
  • Educate employers on the importance of providing paid leave for cancer screenings (especially for hourly employees).

For more on the Colorado Cancer Plan: http://bit.ly/cocancerplan