Fighting Disparity

It is still not common knowledge that there is notable disparity in breast cancer death rates, particularly for Black women. Overall death rates decreased by 43% between 1989 and 2020, according to a report released by the American Cancer Society (ACS) on October 3 and published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

However, Black women are still least likely to receive a breast cancer diagnosis when the disease is still localized. Black women also have the lowest five-year survival rate of any racial/ethnic group compared to White women for every breast cancer subtype except stage I; the biggest discrepancies are for stage III (64% vs. 77%) and stage IV (20% vs. 31%).

"Coordinated and concerted efforts by policymakers and healthcare systems and providers are needed to provide optimal breast cancer care to all populations, including expansion of Medicaid in the non-expansion Southern and Midwest states, where Black women are disproportionately represented," Dr. Ahmedin Jemal said in the ACS release. "Also, increased investment is needed for improved early detection methods and treatments."

In health care and beyond, disparity is one of the most urgent matters in need of reform. This is why Koning is expanding into the retail pharma space, so that we can provide easier access to all women, not just those who are able to get to a hospital and take time off from work to get an exam. 

As a step toward a more equal field, Koning has partnered with 11TEN and DocPanel.

Read our press release: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/koning-partners-with-11ten-and-docpanel-to-expand-access-to-breast-ct-through-retail-health-channels-301620866.html