Why does Northeast Ohio have higher death rates from breast cancer than the national average? A report from Komen Northeast Ohio was released last month showing 42 percent of breast cancer deaths in the state occur in our region - that’s in comparison to 23, 25 and 14 percent in Columbus, Greater Cincinnati and Northwest Ohio, respectively.
Even with world class medical care and research right here, the numbers suggest that some women don’t get the care they need to diagnose or treat the disease before it’s too late. Some experts say that high poverty, cultural differences and lack of education about health resources may be among the causes behind the alarming rate.
Be Well is ideastream’s multiple media health series focusing on the intersection of health, people, and place. For the past several months we’ve been exploring how people navigate an ever-more confusing healthcare system. This show is a part of that effort as we specifically examine the barriers that breast cancer patients often face when getting care.
Gina Chicotel, Director of Mission, Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio
Jacquelyne Bailey, Ph.D., Director of Community Outreach, Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
Dallas Walker & Dallas Gradford, local breast cancer patient and her husband
Kay Colby, Ideastream Health Producer