Outcomes of a Community-based Breast Cancer Screening Program in Baltimore City.

INTRODUCTION: African American women have disproportionately high breast cancer (BC) mortality in comparison with White women. Early BC detection rates are lower in African American women than White women, reflecting sub-optimal use of screening mammography particularly among women who are uninsured.

METHODS: A descriptive analysis of a community-based, cancer control program targeted at uninsured African Americans is presented. Program outcomes and correlates of program retention and BC detection are summarized.

RESULTS: Data for 5,669 enrollees and 10,357 mammograms were analyzed. Breast cancer was diagnosed in 113 women, 69% at an early stage. The majority (72%) of BC cases were diagnosed during the initial program cycle. The strongest correlates of program retention were non-Hispanic ethnicity and prior mammography (p<.0001).

DISCUSSION: This community-based cancer control program provided an early BC detection benefit to enrollees regardless of whether program services were conducted for only one cycle or were continued at regular intervals.