High chances for later stage breast cancer in older women living in Appalachia`s poorest areas

A new study published in Health Services Research reports that older women who are living in the poorest areas of Appalachia have high chances to develop breast cancer in its later stage. The lead author of this study is Roger T. Anderson, Ph.D., from the department of public health science at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. “Overall, we found counties that are struggling economically tend to have inadequate health care resources or infrastructure and have the highest rates of later-stage breast cancer”, said Anderson. Clement Gwede, Ph.D., associate director of diversity at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, agreed, saying that solutions to the disparities in late stage breast cancer in the nation's more distressed communities must include improved access to mammography screening resources, education and awareness, and related resources. “Without these broad and sustained strategies, the vicious cycle will persist”, Gwede added.