Research Corner

Implementing a mass media pilot campaign to promote mammography screening​

We conducted a culturally appropriate mass media pilot campaign entitled ‘Breast Health is Beautiful at Any Age’ to increase awareness about the importance of mammography screening and about available community mammography services for low-income African American women. Campaign impact was assessed by comparing the number of calls to the mammography center before and after the campaign. The campaign’s total combined reach was 9,479,386 impressions. CBCC’s website also received significant increases in new visitors. The mass media campaign, using culturally appropriate messages and channels, was successful in reaching the target audience and in motivating an increase in contacting a mammography center, with the majority of contact via the website.

Trends in Mammography Utilization at a safety net breast cancer screening center

We examined mammography screening patterns in Black and Hispanic women at CBCC. Between 2010-2015, mammography screening rates increased for older compared to younger women. CBCC also increased its screening rates for Latinas and residents from Maryland and Virginia over this time period. Results from our study underscore the importance of community based clinics in increasing cancer screening uptake among underserved communities.

Time to Diagnostic Evaluation After Mammographic Screening in an Urban Setting

Minority populations, like Black and Hispanic women, historically have low rates of clinical follow-up after their mammograms. At CBCC, we work to ensure that women with abnormal mammograms are assigned a culturally sensitive navigator who helps them through the care process. Drs. Bridget Oppong, Chiranjeev Dash and Lucile Adams-Campbell conducted a study at CBCC that revealed the time to patient follow-up after initial mammographic screening is within the CDC recommended performance standard of less than 60 days. This successful reduction in delays to breast cancer diagnostic is due to the good work of our patient navigators and effectiveness of the program.

Breast density in multi-ethnic women presenting for screening mammography

Increased breast density has been shown to mask cancers on the mammogram as well as to be associated with future risk of breast cancer. Since breast density is associated with elevated breast cancer risk, investigating racial and ethnic difference might clarify the observed differences in breast cancer risk among different populations. Breast density measures were determined among 2,146 women between 2010-2014 at CBCC and Georgetown University Hospital, comprising of 940 Black, 893 Hispanic, and 314 White women. Obese women were 70% less likely to have high density; however, being Hispanic, premenopausal, and non-obese were predictive of high breast density.