Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, will give over $1 million in new community grants to eight breast cancer centers in the National Capital Region, including Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, according to a press release issued Saturday.
Funds have been collected by the Susan G. Komen D.C. Race for the Cure and the Honoring the Promise Gala. Donations are focussed on offering access to quality health for “low-income and underserved women”, in order to reduce mortality rates across the region.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Central Region has a relevant incidence and mortality from breast cancer. For instance, Alexandria, VA and D.C. Wards 2, 5, 7 and 8, register the highest death rate in the country, as a whole, when comparing it to the average rates of the U.S.
The menace is especially notable among African-American women in the District of Columbia, who face a 34 percent higher risk of getting breast cancer than white women, said the G. Komen Foundation.
The District of Columbia has an average incidence rate of breast cancer of 153.1 per 100,000. At the same time, the U.S average is of 122.00 per 100,000. According to the D.C Department of Health, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the area.
According to Susan G. Komen President and CEO Dr. Judy Salerno, women living in the nation’s capital are “disproportionately burdened” by breast cancer.
“Every time a woman receives care too late or loses her fight against this disease, the entire community suffers. These new grants support programs that reach women – whoever and wherever they are – with the resources they need.” Added Dr. Salerno in a press release.
Breast cancer impact in the United States
The Komen foundation is currently creating funded programs to impulse education campaigns, to give information and resources to low-income, socially or culturally isolated women, immigrants, refugees, homeless, LGBT populations and people with HIV, according to a Komen statement.
On Friday, 1,200 runners gathered in Southwest Virginia for the 7th annual “Race for the Cure”. Participants chose 5K or 10K to run in honor of all people who have been affected by breast cancer and future survivors. It is expected that the event will collect around $320,000.
The CDC reports that breast cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.,when not considering some kinds of skin cancer. Latest statistics from 2012 show that 222,147 women and 2,125 men were diagnosed with breast cancer, during that year, of which 41,150 died.
Every woman between 50 to 74 years old should get mammograms regularly, in order to lower risks of dying from breast cancer, added the CDC.
Source: Susan G. Komen Press Release