Helping Her Live: Gaining Control of Breast Cancer

Introduction:

The very large Black:White disparity in breast cancer mortality in Chicago is unacceptable. This Chicago disparity (62%) in breast cancer mortality is the fifth largest in the country, behind Memphis (109%), Denver (74%), Los Angeles (70%), and Houston (65%). Additionally, disparities in the stage of breast cancer at diagnosis also exist nationally, with Latinas (36%) and African American women (85%) more likely to be diagnosed with further advanced breast cancer than white women.

In response to this disparity, the Sinai Urban Health Institute and other concerned partners held a city-wide Summit to better understand and address this alarming disparity. On March 27, 2007, there was a Call to Action in which breast health experts, community leaders and health care providers examined three main hypotheses for this growing disparity: mammography access, mammography quality and treatment quality. They formed the Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force which put forth 37 key recommendations on how to fix this problem in a groundbreaking report, released in October 2007. To access this report and learn more about the Task Force and its many new initiatives and funding streams, visit www.chicagobreastcancer.org.

(click on graph to view the full sized image)

In addition, SUHI designed and implemented a Community Navigation program, titled Helping Her Live: Gaining Control of Breast Cancer. Funded by the Avon Foundation, this innovative community approach to improve breast health outcomes was launched in October 2008 and targets two underserved and racially/ethnically diverse Chicago communities: North Lawndale and Humboldt Park. HHL's Community Health Workers/ Navigators conduct numerous outreach activities to meet women where they live in the community and to navigate them to optimal breast health services, including screening mammograms, follow-up to abnormal mammograms, services for women with breast symptoms, and any treatment as needed.

Project Brochure HHL at a Glance

Thanks to generous contributions from:

The following reports describe how the project was developed and some of its key accomplishments.

Jan 2013 Avon Progress Report

For 2008-2012 reports, click here.

Project updates:

HHL Recognized by The West Side Collaborative, January 2013

Helping Her Live was honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for our advocacy and support for the women at Facing Forward to End Homelessness and Deborah's Place by improving their education, access and awareness of Breast Cancer. The West Side Collaborative is a strategic partnership between nonprofit social service providers formed to promote the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in Chicago’s West Side communities.

The Barbara Bates Foundation Partners with Lynn Sage to Benefit Sinai Health System and Helping Her Live, October 2012

The “Knocking Out Breast Cancer” fundraiser and fashion show took place on October 28, 2012. Beautiful breast cancer survivors modeled the latest looks of fashion designer and fellow survivor, Barbara Bates. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sinai Health System and SUHI’s Helping Her Live Program.

To read more about the event, click here.

SUHI Cheers for 2012 Avon Breast Cancer Walkers, June 2012

The 9^th annual Chicago Avon Walk was held over the weekend of June 1 – 3, 2012, and the Sinai Health System (SHS) again participated with gusto. Nearly 60 staff members, along with friends and family of SHS gathered at Buckingham Fountain to cheer walkers completing the last leg of their 39 mile/ 2-day journey. The Chicago walk was a tremendous success, with over 4,000 walkers, including breast cancer survivors, who came together raising lifesaving funds and awareness for breast cancer.

SUHI's Findings Featured in Essence Magazine, May 2012

Sinai Urban Health Institute's analysis of the breast cancer mortality disparity in the 25 largest US cities was featured in the May 2012 issue of Essence magazine. Click here to view the article.

SUHI Staff Attend and Present at the Annual AVON Conference in NYC, March 2012

SUHI Staff members attended and presented at the annual AVON conference in March in New York City. A summary of SUHI's participation in the event can be found here. A recap of the event can be found here.

Steve Whitman of SUHI comments on IBCCP funding cuts in the Chicago Tribune, February 2012

During the current fiscal year, the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program waitlisted uninsured women looking for screening mammograms because of funding shortfalls. With the Chicago Black:White breast cancer mortality disparity at 62%, screening mammograms truly become a matter of life or death. To read more, click here.

For 2008-2011 events and updates, click here.

Publications: