Need: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Texas, with notable disparities in mammogram screening rates, incidence, prevalence, stage at diagnosis, illness burden, mortality, and survivorship. Minority women, particularly African American and Hispanic women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, face significantly worse treatment outcomes compared to their white counterparts. Current data highlights that only 36% of uninsured women under the age of 64 are up-to-date with mammogram screenings, and Texas ranks 41st nationally for mammogram screenings among women aged 40-74 over the past 2 years. These statistics emphasize the critical need for targeted education...
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Need: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Texas, with notable disparities in mammogram screening rates, incidence, prevalence, stage at diagnosis, illness burden, mortality, and survivorship. Minority women, particularly African American and Hispanic women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, face significantly worse treatment outcomes compared to their white counterparts. Current data highlights that only 36% of uninsured women under the age of 64 are up-to-date with mammogram screenings, and Texas ranks 41st nationally for mammogram screenings among women aged 40-74 over the past 2 years. These statistics emphasize the critical need for targeted education, screening initiatives, and supportive navigation services especially in medically underserved communities. Current Program Achievements: Since 2021, the Texas Southern University (TSU) Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Center (BCSPC) has aggressively tackled these gaps through a $1 million Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) prevention grant. Over the past 3 years, BCSPC has delivered no-cost mammograms to over 1,350 underserved women and provided health education and patient navigation services to over 4,500 women across Harris, Grimes, Matagorda, Walker, and Wharton counties. Our community-based mobile screening mammogram events and in-clinic screening services have cultivated an in-depth trust and engagement in the community. Despite this success, demand continues to outpace available resources, leaving many minority women in neighboring regions without access to timely and life-saving screenings mammogram and diagnostic care. Proposed Expansion: To address this unmet need for early detection of breast cancer, TSU BCSPC seeks $2 million in renewal funding to broaden our reach and impact. We will extend and enhance our proven model - comprehensive screenings/diagnostics, evidence-based, literacy level-appropriate, culturally-tailored breast cancer education, patient navigation/barrier reduction and continuing education for Community Health Workers (CHWs) - into four additional counties (Galveston, Polk, Brazoria, and Trinity) while sustaining and expanding services in the original five counties. Project Strategy and Goals 1. Screening (2,400 women): Provide no-cost mammograms, prioritizing uninsured, underinsured, rarely screened, and high-risk minority women. Services will be delivered via community-based mobile units and in-clinic sites. 2. Patient navigation and barrier reduction services (2,400 women): Offer patient navigation services to guide women through every step of the screening and diagnostic pathway. Services will include language interpretation, transportation assistance, appointment scheduling and appointment reminders. Women with abnormal results will receive ongoing navigation until they receive proper care or are declared cancer-free. 3. Culturally Tailored Education (3,900 community members): Deliver evidence-based, literacy-appropriate breast cancer awareness programs in both group and one-on-one settings. These efforts will be anchored in trusted community spaces through partnerships with Federally Qualified Health Centers, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and CHW networks. 4. Continuing Education for Community Health Workers (600 participants): Provide free CE opportunities for Community Health Workers, empowering grassroots health promoters with the tools to expand breast cancer awareness and access in underserved areas. This multifaceted program will leverage a multi-pronged dissemination approach utilizing the TSU BCSPC website and social media platforms to broaden our educational reach and inform communities about available resources. Significance and Impact: This initiative targets nine medically underserved, predominantly minority, non-metropolitan Texas counties characterized by disproportionately high breast cancer incidence/mortality rates. By delivering no-cost screenings, culturally responsive education and hands-on navigation, TSU BCSPC will help close critical gaps in care and ultimately reduce breast cancer incidence and mortality in Texas minority women. With an additional $2 million CPRIT investment, TSU BCSPC will amplify its role as a trusted, culturally attuned leader in health equity – establishing a scalable, replicable model of breast health empowerment that can transform care delivery for vulnerable populations across Texas and beyond.
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