Milwaukee & Racine Breast Cancer Collaborative Work Group (CWG)
The Milwaukee and Racine Breast Cancer Collaborative Work Groups (CWGs) developed a joint initiative focused on improving breast cancer risk assessment, early detection, and screening for young African American women. Though each community will implement their own workplan with local partners, they share common goals and approaches.
The initiative, known as Before Breast Cancer Diagnosis (BBCD), aims to shift the approach to breast cancer prevention and screening, using evidence-based programs to increase early detection and screening among African American women, particularly younger ones. BBCD will focus on systems-level changes, such as standardizing risk assessments, referrals for genetic counseling, and patient reminders. Community health workers will play a key role in providing one-on-one education, addressing emotional barriers like fear, and improving access to screening by reducing structural barriers in collaboration with local health organizations including Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood of WI, and Progressive Health Centers.
The initiative, known as Before Breast Cancer Diagnosis (BBCD), aims to shift the approach to breast cancer prevention and screening, using evidence-based programs to increase early detection and screening among African American women, particularly younger ones. BBCD will focus on systems-level changes, such as standardizing risk assessments, referrals for genetic counseling, and patient reminders. Community health workers will play a key role in providing one-on-one education, addressing emotional barriers like fear, and improving access to screening by reducing structural barriers in collaboration with local health organizations including Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood of WI, and Progressive Health Centers.
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The goals of the BBCD initiative are as follows:
- Create an equitable and sustainable process for breast cancer risk assessment and referral/navigation to genetic counseling and screening, with increased awareness and understanding of the process and improved follow-up care.
- Reduce structural barriers to breast cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, and screening, including access to services starting at age 25, more referrals and follow-ups, and higher screening rates for women at risk or at age 40.
- Cultivate a trustworthy relationship between African American women and healthcare providers by ensuring participants report satisfaction and improved trust post-assessment/screening.
The research focus of the initiative includes three key areas:
- Systems-level barriers and facilitators: Investigating the factors that either help or hinder the integration of breast cancer risk assessments and referrals to appropriate screening services.
- Impact of community health worker training: Exploring whether training community health workers in breast cancer risk assessment and navigation to genetic counseling or screening improves outreach, increases participation, and strengthens follow-up care.
- Cost-effectiveness of community health worker interventions: Evaluating whether programs involving community health workers in breast cancer risk assessment, genetic counseling, and screening are cost-effective or offer cost benefits.