I just returned from the 24th annual meeting of the National Consortium of Breast Centers in Las Vegas, where I delivered five talks, participated on one panel and presented a poster in the poster session. Yes, it was a lot of work, but I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to speak to and interact with the hundreds of physicians, administrators, technologists and nurses who attended the meeting. The meeting was my 17th and it was particularly gratifying to welcome new members to the NCoBC. If you are involved in any way with breast care, I encourage you not only to join the NCoBC, but to participate in its many quality initiatives.
Every year there is one talk that just seems to reach out and create a new level of awareness about something you may not have considered. For me this was the talk given by Harold P. Freeman, MD. Dr. Freeman, whose list of accomplishments is truly astounding, has dedicated his career to serving underserved populations. He discussed the disparities in healthcare in the US, pointing out that although most minority women and women in poverty had access to mammography through Medicaid and other programs designed to enhance access to preventative care, there is a large gulf in access to therapy between the "haves" and the "have nots" in our society
Dr. Freeman, a 25-year advocate of patient navigation challenged us to confront the relationship between race, poverty and cancer, citing the problems of the poor, many of whom are not English speakers, in accessing multi-specialty care in systems where the care may involve tens of visits to four or more locations in the course of therapy. Cancer is daunting at best, but faced from the perspective of poverty many simply give up, and many more receive their care only in part, late, or both.
The solution, asserted Dr. Freeman, is to formally include patient navigation in the care of all cancer patients, providing reimbursement through insurance, and including specifically through Medicaid. Navigation has become one of the hallmarks of excellence in breast programs across the US, and we agree entirely with Dr. Freeman in his advocacy. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) introduced a bill in the last session of congress that would have provided funds for patient navigation, but it failed. This is NOT an issue that should be political or politicized. Please contact your representative and indicate your support for funding for patient navigators. It truly is a life or death issue.
The solution, asserted Dr. Freeman, is to formally include patient navigation in the care of all cancer patients, providing reimbursement through insurance, and including specifically through Medicaid. Navigation has become one of the hallmarks of excellence in breast programs across the US, and we agree entirely with Dr. Freeman in his advocacy. Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) introduced a bill in the last session of congress that would have provided funds for patient navigation, but it failed. This is NOT an issue that should be political or politicized. Please contact your representative and indicate your support for funding for patient navigators. It truly is a life or death issue.
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