The research grant awarded by the California Breast Cancer Research Program was one of five studies chosen for funding in 2014 in the area of “Community Impact of Breast Cancer.”
The study is being conducted as community-based participatory research by an equitable partnership between a community and academic partner, and is headed by a principal investigator (PI) from each organization. Brenda Elvine-Kreis is the community PI and Client Services Coordinator at BGHP, and Terry Uyeki is the academic PI and Director of Evaluation and Community Services at CCRP. Dr. Ellen Mahoney, surgical oncologist at St. Joseph Hospital and nationally recognized cancer expert, will serve as a consulting investigator.
For the past 20 years Humboldt County has had one of the highest breast cancer death rates (mortality rates) in California, but it is not known why. In contrast, the number of women who develop breast cancer in Humboldt County (or breast cancer incidence rate) has actually been slightly below the state incidence rate. Humboldt County ranks 24th in occurrence of breast cancer (out of 47 counties), yet is “Number 2” for deaths due to breast cancer (1990-2010).
Data from the California Cancer Registry will be analyzed to explore possible factors that may be associated with higher death rates in Humboldt County. Researchers will look at differences in survival rates among ethnic or racial minority populations, as well as other demographic and geographic sub-populations within the county. In addition, the research will analyze whether women living in frontier or rural areas of the state have higher death rates from breast cancer compared to urban areas of the state. This will be the first time that breast cancer related deaths have been analyzed for California based on population density.
Collaboration with the community is an integral part of the study. A Community Advisory Council composed of members with a stake in breast cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes, advised on the development of the research proposal, and continue to provide guidance on the conduct of the research. Study findings will be shared through community liaisons and community forums held throughout the county in late 2015.
This study will be a first step in understanding the factors that may contribute to Humboldt County’s unusually high breast cancer death rate. Findings from this study will be used to guide a more in-depth investigation of this health disparity and to better understand how to increase breast cancer survival in rural communities.
The Breast and GYN Health Project is a grassroots community resource for those facing breast or gynecologic cancer concerns.
The California Center for Rural Policy at Humboldt State fosters “Rural Research, for and by Rural Communities” to improve the health and well-being of rural people and environments.
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If you would like more information about The Rural Breast Cancer Survival Study, visit rbcss.org. For information about the research project, please contact Brenda Elvine-Kreis at 707-825-8345 ext. 125 or brendae@hcbhp.org, or Terry Uyeki at 707-826-3404, or thu1@humboldt.edu.