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Cancer Plan: Breast Cancer
In 2006, it is estimated that 1,040 Maine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Maine’s breast cancer incidence rates have remained relatively stable over the past decade and are slightly lower than for the United States as a whole (Figure 19).
Figure 19: Age-Adjusted Breast Cancer Incidence Rates, 1995-2002
Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program and the Maine Cancer Registry Program.
Figure 20: Age-Adjusted Breast Cancer Mortality Rates, 1995-2002
Source: National Center for Health Statistics
Age is the biggest risk factor for breast cancer with 77% of diagnoses among women over 50. Other risk factors that impact a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer include a personal or family history of breast cancer, nulliparity, and being overweight. Although white women develop breast cancer at higher rates than African American women do, it is important to realize that African American women have a higher likelihood of dying from the disease.
Over the past twenty years, with the increase in mammography use and improved treatment, the death rate from breast cancer has subsequently decreased (Figure 20). Despite this decrease, breast cancer is still the second leading cancer killer for women in Maine with an estimated 200 breast cancer deaths in 2006.
Studies have shown repeatedly over the past 20 years that mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. Several national organizations recommend breast cancer screening annually for women 40 and older (Appendix D). Getting a mammogram annually, can reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer by approximately 20%-25% over 10 years for women aged 40 or older.
Maine has one of the highest rates of mammography use in the United States (Figure 21). This is due in part to the successful implementation of the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, which offers free mammography and Pap tests to income eligible women ages 40 and over. Advocacy and education efforts have also played an important role. Additionally, all Maine insurers are required to pay for breast cancer screening, which helps to reduce the financial barrier of screening costs.
Figure 21: Mammography Use 1990-2004.
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Goal: To promote, increase, and optimize the utilization of high quality breast cancer screening and follow-up services.
Objective 1: Increase the proportion of Maine women aged 40-49 who have received both a mammogram and a clinical breast exam within the past two years to 80% by 2010.
Baseline: 72.7% have received both, Maine BRFSS, 2004.
Strategies
- Provide advocacy for ongoing implementation and expansion of Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program.
- Provide continuing education programs on current mammography technique and clinical breast exam technique inclusive of sensitivity training on cultural, elderly and physical needs.
- Work with health professional training programs to teach students state-of-the-art techniques for breast cancer screening exams and tests.
- Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate screening messages for disparate populations.
- Seek funding to pay for screening services for women 40-49 in the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program and other community–based programs.
Objective 2: Increase the proportion of Maine women aged 50 and older who have received both a mammogram and a clinical breast exam within the preceding year to 70% by 2010.
Baseline: 62% have received both, Maine BRFSS, 2004.
Strategies
- Provide advocacy for ongoing implementation and expansion of Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program.
- Provide continuing education programs on mammography and clinical breast exam technique inclusive of sensitivity training on cultural, elderly and physical needs.
- Work with health professional training programs to teach students state-of-the-art techniques for breast cancer screening exams and tests.
- Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate screening messages for disparate populations.
- Seek funding to pay for screening services for women 50 and older in the MBCHP and other community–based programs.
Objective 3: Maintain the proportion of Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program participants with a diagnosis of breast cancer who receive appropriate follow-up.
Baseline: 100% Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program/ October 2005 MDE Submission Data Quality.
Strategy
- Develop a relationship with cancer treating hospitals to explore the collection of data on timely results.
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