Scripps Receives Grants for Breast Cancer Services to Underserved

Scripps Cancer Center has received two grants totaling $77,891 from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego to help improve community education related to breast health services to underserved, ethnically diverse communities in South County and central San Diego.

A $40,000 grant provides funding for Women Guiding Women: A Comprehensive Breast Health and Outreach Program. This initiative provides outreach, education and case management services to underserved Hispanic, Filipino and African-American populations. This program recruits and trains local women as patient navigators called “promatoras,” who interface with women in a culturally and linguistically sensitive way.

“Promatoras” work closely with local community clinics on multiple goals, including access to mammograms and follow-up services. Women are invited to participate in educational sessions and are guided through an entitlement eligibility processes. Building on an existing program, this project aims to reach more than 19,000 women, ages 18 and older.

Another grant, for $37,891, supports Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista’s Family Medicine Residency Training Program. The program provides training for family physicians on ways to serve the unique needs of the underserved Hispanic populations of the San Diego border region. This first-of-a-kind program targets 80 new physicians to increase their knowledge, attitude and skills in fostering awareness of breast cancer awareness and related screening protocols. Improved physician education represents a step toward achieving enhanced breast cancer screening rates and earlier detection.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego 2011 grant applications were reviewed by a panel of independent public health, breast cancer and community experts. Grants were awarded based on priority areas identified in an extensive community assessment taken by the organization.

With more than 300 affiliated physicians, Scripps Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in cancer care, providing comprehensive care at its four hospitals and various Scripps Clinic locations. In collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute, the Scripps Cancer Center seeks to provide the best possible treatment and cutting-edge research trials for patients by coordinating medical expertise in the areas of clinical cancer care, community outreach and clinical, translational and basic research. In 2008, Scripps Cancer Center earned network accreditation from the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.