Broward County is in the southeastern portion of the State of Florida, with Miami-Dade County to the south, and Palm Beach County to the north. In 2017, Broward County was the second most populous county in Florida, and the seventeenth largest county in the nation. Broward County has a diverse population with residents representing more than 200 countries that speak over 130 languages 31.4% of the residents are foreign-born. Broward County is a minority/majority county demonstrated by its 2017 population by race (Black 28.4%, Asian 3.6%, Hispanic 28.4%, more than one race 0.2%, and White 61.6%). Also, the county has a female population of 51.6 % of which 14.4% are below the federal poverty level (FPL), many of which do not have access to routine screening services. Mammogram After Sunday Service (MASS) is a program administered through the Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP) as a community partnership project in coordination with the not for profit Beautiful Gate Cancer Support and Resources Center (TBG). The program provides breast health education seminars with on-site mammograms and/or referrals to eligible women after Sunday religious services at predominantly black ministries. The current population being served via the MASS and FBCCEDP collaboration includes women ages 50-64, residing in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties who have little or no health insurance, with incomes at or below 200% of the FPL. Women who are under the age of 50 with a current breast condition or ages 40-49 with a 1st degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with a history of breast cancer can also receive free services. The services provided include breast and cervical cancer screenings, follow-up for abnormal results and referrals for treatment to women who are diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer.
Per the CDC, not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is: the most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity, the most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women, and the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women. Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in the United States. Advances in treatment aid many women to live long, healthy lives after diagnosis but early detection is vital to long-term survival. Mammograms can detect breast cancer early, possibly before it has spread. Several research studies have shown that women who are uninsured or underserved, are older, have lower socioeconomic status, are from racial or ethnic minorities or groups, or lack a usual source of care are the least likely to be appropriately screened for breast cancer. Further, low education levels, lack of knowledge about breast cancer and breast cancer screening; distorted perceptions of risk and susceptibility to cancer, cultural beliefs, language barriers, and, lack of transportation are some of the barriers that prevent women from obtaining breast cancer prevention services. CDC 2015 data report the rate of female breast cancer as 124.8. The breast cancer rate is higher among White (125.6) and Black (123.3) females than for other races/ethnicities. Also, the rate of new breast cancers is higher among the age group 70-74. By addressing these barriers through a health equity lens, DOH-Broward's goal is to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in the tri-county area and provide early screening services in the community.
The goal of the MASS and FBCCEDP collaboration is to reduce the breast cancer mortality in Broward, Palm Beach and Martin Counties through outreach, education, care coordination and treatment. The objectives are: 1) Provide education and resources to vulnerable communities of color affected by breast cancer; and, 2) Provide breast health services to eligible women through FBCCEDP who are recruited through MASS. All the clients that was referred to the FBCCEDP was provided needed services within 60 day of initiation.
Website http://broward.floridahealth.gov
http://broward.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/clinical-and-nutrition-services/florida-breast-cervical-cancer/index.html