In this May 31, 2013 photo, breast cancer survivor Alicia Cook holds photos of family members who have also been afflicted by breast cancer, outside her home in Chicago. New research shows genetic breast cancer is more common in black women than previously thought. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, October 18, 2018:
Breast cancer treatments are often more effective when the cancer is detected early. Self-screening and regular mammograms, for women 40 and older, are critical tools in early diagnosis. But there are barriers to breast cancer screening and access to breast health information doesn’t always reach low-income populations.
The Feel Your Boobies Foundation is working to change that in Central Pennsylvania, through a collaborative effort with the Hamilton Health Center. The Health Center provides community-based health care for all people regardless of income level and insurance status. The Foundation, by expanding their educational outreach to young women in underserved and minority communities, hopes to remove a barrier to breast cancer screening.
Research shows that black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age than white women and their mortality rate is higher. Early screening is critical to changing that statistic.
Appearing on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss this collaboration are Dr. Loren Robinson, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Leigh Hurst, Executive Director, Feel Your Boobies Foundation, and Tyrisha Roberson, a breast cancer survivor. Roberson was diagnosed in her early 20’s with metastatic breast cancer and is still receiving treatment.
Tyrisha Roberson, Dr. Loren Robinson & Leigh Hurst
Also, health care is a hot-button issue in this year’s U.S. Senate campaign. Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey and his Republican opponent Lou Barletta are clashing over the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the preexisting conditions stipulation.
WITF Transforming Health reporter Brett Sholtis is in the studio to discuss where the candidates stand on these and other healthcare issues.
Transforming Health reporter Brett Sholtis
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