Thanks to a $31,000 grant from The Regence Foundation, Latina women in Pierce County can now receive special assistance from a breast cancer navigator who shares their culture and language. The program helps Latina and Hispanic women overcome barriers to get the breast cancer screening and treatment they need.

This service is offered through the successful Breast Cancer Navigator program co-provided by Franciscan Health System, the Korean Women’s Association and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Recently recognized by the Pierce County Business Examiner as a 2009 Health Care Champion, the Breast Cancer Navigator program helps save lives by increasing opportunities for early detection of breast cancer in medically underserved women.

Breast cancer is easier to cure when it is detected early. Unfortunately, many women within minority populations lack access to mammograms, breast cancer screenings and treatment due to language, cultural and/or socio-economic obstacles. The Breast Cancer Navigator service works to close this gap by offering culturally and language-appropriate education and one-on-one support. Female navigators go into churches, private homes, businesses and other community venues to teach women about breast cancer. Women diagnosed with the illness are also assisted in accessing medical care and receiving practical, emotional support for managing the disease.

Nearly 12,000 medically underserved women have been served by the Breast Cancer Navigator program since it began in 2005.

“Women who are identified as at-risk for breast cancer gain essential help in obtaining a screening mammogram,” said Tricia Sinek, manager of Franciscan’s Community Cancer Programs. “They receive this service at no cost at Franciscan facilities if they lack medical insurance, are unable to pay for a mammogram, and are ineligible for local assistance programs.”

Franciscan Health System provides care for everyone who needs it regardless of their ability to pay. Participating in the Breast Cancer Navigator program helps fulfill Franciscan’s mission to create healthier communities.

Eva Hernandez, the Latina breast cancer navigator in Pierce County, welcomes calls for information and assistance at 253-353-5502. “Our new outreach will improve the health of Latina women in our community and hopefully save lives,” she said. “We look forward to helping women understand the vital steps to beating breast cancer through education and support. We want Latina women to become knowledgeable about and proactive in breast cancer prevention and treatment.”

The $31,000 grant to the Franciscan Foundation was one of six grants that the Regence Foundation has awarded this year to non-profit health care organizations in Washington working to remove hurdles faced by medically underserved individuals who are seeking quality, affordable health care. The Regence Foundation is the corporate foundation of The Regence Group, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/Intermountain Region and a not-for-profit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About the other Breast Cancer Navigator program participants:

• The Korean Women's Association offers a variety of services to better the quality of life for minorities in need. Its services are available to multi-cultural, multi-lingual, and/or limited English speaking Asian immigrants, Pacific Islanders, and since 1987, to the general public.
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the global leader in the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1 billion since inception in 1982.