Breast Cancer Screening Disparities
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.
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
