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Report: Mahoning tops breast-cancer-risk list
BREAST CANCER
Northeast Ohio
The 2011 Komen Northeast Ohio Community Profile named Mahoning and Jefferson counties as among the top-five female populations at risk for breast cancer in Komen’s 22-county service. Factors
considered by profile include:
High percentage of females over age 40.
High percentage of nonwhite females.
High percentage of uninsured
females age 18-64.
High percentage of females age 40 and older with no mammogram in the past year.
High female breast-cancer-incidence rate.
High percentage of late-stage diagnosis (stages 2-3-4).
High female breast-cancer mortality rate.
Source: 2011 Komen Northeast Ohio Community Profile
YOUNGSTOWN
Mahoning County women are at greater risk for breast cancer than women in the rest of Ohio and the nation, according to the 2011 Community Profile produced by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio.
Mahoning was identified as one of the top five at-risk for breast-cancer counties in Komen Northeast Ohio’s 22-county service area. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to combating breast cancer.
Other counties identified in the Komen profile top five are Cuyahoga, Lorain, Richland and the combination of Harrison/Jefferson/Belmont. Steubenville is in Jefferson County.
Most alarming, according to the Komen profile, is that Ohio ranks fourth in the nation in breast-cancer mortality, with a rate of 27.87 per 100,000 individuals. Also, Northeast Ohio’s breast-cancer mortality rate, at 29.77 per 100,000 individuals, is higher than the state and national average, which is 23.61 per 100,000 individuals.
The 2011 profile considers several factors in identifying high-risk communities, including high percentage of females over 40, nonwhite females, and uninsured females age 18-64.
The profile also takes into account high female breast-cancer incidence and breast-cancer mortality rates.
The community profile also includes an analysis of the communities in the Komen Northeast Ohio Region most in need of breast-health services down to the ZIP-code level.
Women living in these ZIP codes have a greater need for breast-health services, including easier access to mammography and other screening methods, easier access to health services for diagnosis and treatment, and easier access to education, prevention and support programs, according to the profile.
The profile report, issued every two years, determines Komen Northeast Ohio’s strategic planning and grant-making efforts in an effort to ensure that local programs supported by Komen target the people and areas most in need, said Sophie Sureau, executive director of Komen Northeast Ohio.
The data collected and reported in the profile indicates the populations least likely to get screening mammograms, are uninsured or underinsured, living in poverty, possess low literacy rates, and are minorities.
The data shows a strong need for more culturally sensitive education and awareness programs.
There is also a need for more and/or better provider education, so doctors, nurses and health facilities are more aware of recommended screening guidelines and financial assistance programs available to support screening, early diagnosis and treatment, according to the profile.