A series of needs, described below, based on conference evaluations and subcommittee members’ own assessments, could be utilized to:

 inform future work of the subcommittee;

• share concerns of conference attendees with the Rockland medical community regarding services to women; and
• provide information for the Rockland County Legislature to consider in its deliberations.

 Despite the number of services available to address prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer in Rockland county, many attendees reported that they continue to go "to the city" for what they perceive to be better services, or simply because they do not know what is available here. This suggests a need to identify and publicize local resources, particularly those available to women of limited means and the uninsured.

 First, women need to empower themselves to take action, protect themselves, and to make the best possible use of the health services available to them. The subcommittee suggests a public relations or educational campaign to focus on women’s skills in making the system work for them, becoming more assertive in taking responsibility for their own health interests and for their interactions with health care providers. A public service campaign could use various media such as letters to the editor, spots on local radio, and newspaper articles by environmental and/or health issues columnists. In addition, a more intensive campaign could involve women at worksites and in community-based settings.

  Second, the health care system must make adjustments to meet the special needs of women. With its focus on cost containment and the increased use of managed care, the health care system has not been responsive to the increased demands on women’s time. The subcommittee noted many suggestions to inform and sensitize the health care community regarding the needs expressed at the conference. For example, diagnostic centers need to be urged to make mammography appointments for times when a radiologist is available to interpret films. In addition, centers need to provide mammography appointments during evening or early morning hours to accommodate working women. These two examples illustrate ways in which the medical care system could make small changes that would have enormous impact on making services more patient-sensitive. Ultimately, they might bring more women to care in Rockland, rather than seeking care in Westchester or Manhattan, where such services are more readily available.

  3) Need to reach younger women (high school students and women of childbearing age), as well as traditionally underserved women with information regarding prevention and diagnosis of breast cancer

 The subcommittee recommends that health care professionals at all levels be certified in teaching breast self exam, so that all women, at any health care visit be empowered to take responsibility for early detection. Furthermore, there is a continuing need to provide information and resources about prevention and early diagnosis to younger women and to underserved women in the county. The subcommittee suggests using nursing educators to involve students in community outreach education efforts, targeting high schools and working women of childbearing age, and to continue efforts to involve agencies and organizations that serve women of various cultures in the county.

 4) Need to monitor and assess whether there are local environmental factors placing women at increased risk for breast cancer in Rockland county

 The subcommittee notes concern regarding real estate development of former orchard and farmlands and the potential for risks related to pesticide use. As such, there is a demand for more attention to studies regarding the safety of ground water and property that is being developed. Several subcommittee members, as well as conference attendees, felt that many questions regarding local environmental risks have not been adequately addressed.

   5) Need for assurance that women have access to affordable, appropriate preventive and early diagnostic procedures such as screening mammographies for women over age 40

  Although there was initially some confusion, the National Cancer Institute has recently amended its recommendations to match those of the American Cancer Society, regarding the benefits of regular mammographies for all women over age 40. Despite these recommendations, many women in Rockland County do not have insurance that will pay for mammographies and not all physicians recommend them annually for women under age 50. The American Cancer Society’s Breast Health Partnership, which offers free breast health services, including mammography and follow-up to women over age 40 who do not have insurance, is one example of an effective approach to making quality, affordable care available to all women in Rockland County.

 The subcommittee recommends that concerns about the availability of high quality, affordable breast cancer diagnosis and treatment services here in Rockland County must be a high priority for both health care providers and local policy makers. In addition, the subcommittee recommends that all Rockland County breast screening programs follow the guidelines for a complete breast health check-up as recommended by the American Cancer Society. The guidelines include a three part screening program for women:

• instruction in breast self-examination;
• breast examination by a medical professional; and
• screening mammography for women over 40.

[Return to Home Page]

Return to Breast Cancer Conference Index

First Created: September 18,1997
Last Updated: September 18,1997