Keeping Well in Mind, Body and Spirit June 13

 This popular FREE series continues on Thursday, June 13, from 11:30-1:00 with Head & Neck Cancer:  Early Detection is the Key. Specialist Dr. Fernando Gomez-Rivera is the featured speaker.  Dr. Gomez-Rivera will present an interactive program regarding the types of Head, Neck & Throat cancer and answer your questions.   The presentation will be at the Halifax County Cancer Association office, 60 Main Street, Halifax.   Please bring your lunch and a friend!   Drinks and dessert will be provided. Call the Cancer Association to make a reservation, 434-476-2714 or email hcca.hope@gmail.com.

I’m Cured… Now What? July 27

Conference for Teen and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.  The purpose is to provide information on long term effects of treatment and other issues so that survivors will be better able to advocate for themselves and lead healthy and productive lives.

This year, a special emphasis will be on siblings and family healing.  July 27, 8:30-4:30pm at Life With Cancer Family Center, Fairfax, VA. 

 For more information, contact Connie Connor (703-531-1515). 

Join Your Cancer Colleagues: Register for the June 13 Forum to Learn About the New Cancer Plan:

 The quarterly CACV meeting on Thursday, June 13, will be expanded into a forum highlighting the Virginia Cancer Plan 2013-2017 and ways to collaborate on implementation projects. Please bring colleagues interested in impacting cancer in Virginia.

Registration for the free event is open here (links to a Google form, which may not be accessible on more secure system). One aspect of the forum is that its agenda can be localized and used for future regional forums.

The June meeting will open at 8:30 AM and end at 3:30 PM at the Virginia Community Healthcare Association at 3831 Westerre Parkway, Henrico, where free parking is available; lunch will be provided. No videoconferencing.

Social Determinants of Black-White Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality: A Review

Despite the recent decline in breast cancer mortality, African American women continue to die from breast cancer at higher rates than do White women. Beyond the fact that breast cancer tends to be a more biologically aggressive disease in African American than in White women, this disparity in breast cancer mortality also reflects social barriers that disproportionately affect African American women. These barriers hinder cancer prevention and control efforts and modify the biological expression of disease. The present review focuses on delineating social, economic, and cultural factors that are potentially responsible for Black-White disparities in breast cancer mortality. This review was guided by the social determinants of health disparities model, a model that identifies barriers associated with poverty, culture, and social injustice as major causes of health disparities. These barriers, in concert with genetic, biological, and environmental factors, can promote differential outcomes for African American and White women along the entire breast cancer continuum, from screening and early detection to treatment and survival. Barriers related to poverty include lack of a primary care physician, inadequate health insurance, and poor access to health care. Barriers related to culture include perceived invulnerability, folk beliefs, and a general mistrust of the health care system. Barriers related to social injustice include racial profiling and discrimination. Many of these barriers are potentially modifiable. Thus, in addition to biomedical advancements, future efforts to reduce disparities in breast cancer mortality should address social barriers that perpetuate disparities among African American and White women in the United States. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):2913–23)  Click here to read full review

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

However, minority populations are not sharing equally in this bounty. The essence of health disparities in our communities is manifested in the way breast cancer affects communities of color.

African American women have a slightly higher incidence rate of breast cancer than White women before age 35, but that situation reverses itself after age 35. However, African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer at every age.

Latinas are in a similar situation. Hispanic women are about 40% less likely to have breast cancer than white women; however, they have a higher risk of dying from the disease.

Click here to learn more