Beyond October

This post was written by Sofia Chernet.

Sofia serves as a Breast Cancer Screening Navigator and Quality Coordinator at Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force.

As the month for breast cancer awareness, October is an important time period for my host site, The Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force. Throughout this month, numerous organizations and corporations raise awareness for breast cancer, the second greatest cause of cancer death for women in the United States (What are the key, 2014). For me, October serves a wonderful reminder of the exigency for my service role as the Breast Cancer Screening Navigator and Quality Coordinator at the Task Force. On account of this AmeriCorps position, I have learned significantly about breast cancer disparities, prevention tools, screening methods and treatment options.

According to a 2007 publication on'The black:white disparity in breast cancer mortality: the example of Chicago," the breast cancer mortality rate has changed significantly from 1980s to the 21st century in Metropolitan Chicago (Hirschman, Whitman, & Ansell, 2007). For African American and Caucasian women, the breast cancer mortality rates remained similar from the 1980s until the 1990s when a disparity began to arise. In 2003, the breast cancer mortality rate for African American women was 68% higher than the mortality rate for Caucasian women (Hirschman et al., 2007). For this reason, the Task Force staff dedicates great time and effort to reducing breast cancer and overall health disparities beyond the month of October.

Through its program entitled'Beyond October," the Task Force navigates uninsured and underinsured women through breast health screening (Beyond October!, n.d.). As a navigator, I assist women with obtaining primary care visits, screening mammograms and diagnostic follow-ups. From service, personal and volunteer experience, I learned that maintaining good health is a complex and ongoing process. For this reason, numerous individuals need assistance with navigating the healthcare system. In the upcoming month, the Task Force shall enact its new project entitled'Beyond Enrollment." For this project, I shall navigate women through insurance enrollment and the establishment of a primary care provider. I am truly excited to spread my newfound knowledge about insurance coverage and breast health screening to the participants of Beyond October and Beyond Enrollment.

On October 30th, 2014, the Task Force will present a report back to community at the Chicago Urban League. Attendees will learn about the state of breast cancer disparities in Chicago. This event shall underscore the significance of the Task Force's ongoing projects and the need for all individuals to continue raising awareness of health disparities during the months beyond October. If you are interested in attending this event, please register by calling (312) 942-3368.

References

Beyond October! (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://www.chicagobreastcancer.org/site/epage/155358_904.htm

Hirschman, J., Whitman, S., & Ansell, D. (2007). The black: white disparity in breast cancer mortality: the example of Chicago. Cancer Causes & Control, 18(3), 323-333.

What are the key statistics about breast cancer? (2014, September 25). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-ke...