On Thursday, July 11, 2019, community leaders, healthcare professionals and those dedicated to the fight against breast cancer gathered for an exciting announcement in the advance of better outcomes for women fighting cancer across our community.
Leading the efforts was Susan G. Komen Florida who shared details on the expansion of their Community Breast Health Navigation program, which in its first year reached over 2,000 women in Delray Beach alone. The expansion includes stronger partnerships with Good Samaritan Medical Center, local healthcare professionals, safety net nonprofits and Komen Florida’s team to continue the fight against the disease that affects 1 in 8 women.
Komen Florida launched the Community-Based Breast Health Navigator Pilot Program in May of 2018 to provide education and patient navigation services to primarily African American women. Since the program’s inception in Delray Beach, Fla., it has reached over 2,000 women and has seen incredible success in outcomes.
The navigation program’s effectiveness in terms of people reached and potential lives saved has been so successful that Komen Florida attracted new funding and announced expansion to the rural Glades Region surrounding Lake Okeechobee in May of 2019. With the additional support of a Palm Beach County family foundation and additional grant funding, Komen is now growing the program to Palm Beach County in its entirety with no limitations based on income, class or other factors.
“Every patient, every question, every need will be addressed for residents of Palm Beach County who have either received a breast cancer diagnosis or those who need more information on screening,” shared Kate Watt, Susan G. Komen Florida Executive Director. “So many women don’t know where to turn, how to ask for help, or even which doctors to see. Komen has consistently led the way in the fight against breast cancer, including pioneering this unique community-based model to break through barriers, increase early detection and help women connect to life-saving services. Our vision has been laser focused and we are ahead of plans to expand our navigation services to cover the state. We work tirelessly to be a model for the nation as the world’s largest breast cancer organization with resources second to none. We will not stop until we have helped everyone in need and put an end to this awful disease.”
