Breast cancer in Georgia, 2002-2006 [Sept. 2009]

Breast Cancer
in Georgia, 2002-2006

Acknowledgments
Georgia Department of Community Health..............................Rhonda Medows, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., Commissioner Division of Public Health...................................................... Rony Francois, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D., Director Epidemiology Branch................................................................... Susan Lance, D.V.M., Ph.D., Director Chronic Disease, Healthy Behaviors, and Injury Epidemiology Section..................... A. Rana Bayakly, M.P.H., Acting Director Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry................................. A. Rana Bayakly, M.P.H., Director Alissa K. Berzen, M.P.H., Epidemiologist Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Branch.................Kimberly Redding, M.D., M.P.H., Director Office of Cancer Screening and Treatment.................................................Joyce Slade, Acting Director
We would like to thank all of the hospitals in Georgia that contributed data for this report. Without their hard work, this report would not have been possible.
Suggested Citation: Berzen AK, Bayakly AR, Redding, KC, Slade J. Breast Cancer in Georgia, 2002-2006. Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health, Chronic Disease, Healthy Behaviors, and Injury Epidemiology Section, September 2009.

What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs most commonly in women, but men can get breast cancer as well. Since men account for only about 1 percent of total breast cancer cases, the information presented here refers only to breast cancer in women.
The breast itself is made up of lobules, ducts, fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph vessels. Inside the breasts are glands that produce and release milk after a woman has a baby. The glands that make the milk are called lobules and the tubes that connect them to the nipple are called ducts.
Understanding the medical language as it relates to breast cancer can be challenging. Here are some terms that describe the most common types of breast cancer:
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): This is the most common type of noninvasive breast cancer. Noninvasive means that the cancer has not spread through the walls of the ducts into the fatty tissue of the breast. Nearly all women with cancer at this stage can be cured. However, if the cancer is not treated at this time, it may develop into invasive breast cancer
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC): This cancer starts in a milk passage or duct, breaks through the wall of the duct, and invades the fatty tissue of the breast. From there it can spread to the lymph nodes, or via the bloodstream to other parts of the body. IDC is the most common type of breast cancer. It accounts for about 75-80 percent of invasive breast cancer
Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC): This cancer starts in the milk glands or lobules. It can spread to other parts of the body, similar to IDC. About 10-15% of invasive breast cancers are of this type
Less common types of breast cancer can include other invasive ductal-type cancers; inflammatory breast cancer (which is diagnosed more frequently in younger and African-American women); and Paget's disease, which accounts for less than 5 percent of all breast cancers detected nationwide, and less than 1 percent of all breast cancers detected in Georgia.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Georgia women (as well as in the United States as a whole), and is the second leading cause of cancer death among Georgia women, after lung cancer. A woman in the U.S. has approximately a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
How is Breast Cancer Detected?
The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances that treatment will be effective. The American Cancer Society recommends the following screening guidelines for women without symptoms:
Mammogram: A mammogram uses X-ray technology to obtain an image of the inside of the breast. Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year, and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are a valuable tool for finding breast cancer. Recent medical developments have introduced computer-aided mammography, digital mammography, and 3D mammography; however, traditional mammography remains the gold standard for screening, and is still the only test that has been shown to decrease the likelihood of dying from breast cancer.
Clinical breast exam (CBE): Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) as part of a regular health exam by a health professional every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year. A CBE can provide a complement to mammography- a two pronged approach to gather the most complete data.
Screening Rates for Georgia Women
The following data were collected by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2002-2006 and represent noninstitutionalized civilian women living in Georgia.
Mammogram: The five-year weighted prevalence for women 40 years and older who ever had a mammogram is 90 percent. Of these, 67 percent reported having had a mammogram within the past year, while 84 percent reported having had a mammogram sometime within the past 2 years.
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE): The five-year weighted prevalence for women who ever had a CBE is 91 percent.

Among women younger than 40 who reported having had a CBE, 95 percent reported that their last CBE was within the past 3 years. Of women aged 40 and older who reported having had a CBE, 70 percent reported that their last CBE was within the past year.
Screening in Relation to Health Insurance in Georgia
Between 2002 and 2006, approximately 15 percent of women reported that they did not have health insurance.
Mammogram: Between 2002 and 2006, among women who reported that they had no health insurance, 49 percent reported that they had had a mammogram, compared to 67 percent of women with insurance. Among women aged 40-64 who had reported ever having a mammogram, and who reported not having health insurance, only 44 percent had had a mammogram in the past year compared to 69 percent of women with insurance, and only 65 percent had had one within the last two years compared to 87 percent of women with insurance.
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE): Between 2002 and 2006, among women who reported that they had no health insurance, 84 percent reported that they had ever received a CBE, compared to 92 percent of women with insurance. Among women under age 40 who did not have health insurance, who reported having had a CBE, 89 percent reported that their last CBE was within the past 3 years, compared to 97 percent of women with insurance. Of women 40-64 with no health insurance who reported ever having a CBE, only 48 percent reported that their last CBE was within the past year, compared to 76 percent of women with insurance. Among women age 65 and older with no health insurance who reported ever having a CBE, 63 percent reported that their last CBE was within the past year, compared to 66 percent of women with insurance.

Who Develops Breast Cancer?

Rate per 100,000 Population

Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates by Race, US (2002-2006) and GA (2002-2006)

United States Georgia

1 40

1 20

115 1 15

127 122

1 00

80

60

40

20

0

N on -His pa ni c Non -Hi spa ni c

Bl ack

Wh ite

90 84 H isp an ic

33 31

24 22

Bla ck

W hi te

Incidence

Mortality

Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.

Yearly, over 5,200 cases of female breast cancer were reported to the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry. White women were more likely to be diagnosed with the disease than were black or Hispanic women.
Yearly, over 1,000 Georgia women died from breast cancer. The mortality rate for black women was higher than that for white women.
Overall, Georgia's breast cancer incidence and mortality rates were below the US average for black, white, and Hispanic women.

What are the Causes and Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

We do not yet know exactly what causes breast cancer, but we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. A risk factor is anything that indicates a person has a higher than normal chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or family history, can't be controlled. But having a risk factor, or even several, doesn't mean that a person will get the disease.
While all women are at risk for breast cancer, the following factors can increase a woman's chances of having the disease.
Risk Factors That Can Be Controlled Not having children: Women who have had no children, or who had their first child after age 30, have about a 40 percent higher risk of breast cancer Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): It has become clear that long-term use (several years or more) of combined HRT (estrogens together with progesterone) for relief of menopause symptoms can increase the risk of breast cancer as well as the risk of heart disease, blood clots, and strokes. The breast cancers are also found at a

more advanced stage. Among women who used HRT, the therapy seems to reduce the effectiveness of mammograms. Five years after stopping HRT, the breast cancer risk appears to drop back to normal Birth control pills: Several studies have been conducted to determine the relationship between oral contraceptives and breast cancer, but the results have been conflicting as to whether they increase the risk or not. It's a good idea to discuss the risks and benefits of birth control pills with your doctor Not breastfeeding: Studies have shown that breastfeeding lowers breast cancer risk, especially if breastfeeding lasts 1 to 2 years. This may be because breastfeeding lowers a woman's total number of menstrual periods Alcohol: Use of alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of getting breast cancer. Women who have one drink a day have a very small increased risk. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about a 50 percent higher risk of breast cancer than women who drink no alcohol Obesity: Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially if the weight gain took place during adulthood or after menopause. Also, the risk seems to be higher if the extra fat is in the waist area. However, a recent study showed that women who lost weight (on the order of 20 pounds) after menopause reduced their overall risk for breast cancer by almost half Exercise: Recent studies show that strenuous exercise in your youth might provide life-long protection against breast cancer and that moderate to strenuous physical activity as an adult can lower breast cancer risk by about 60 percent. Even smaller amounts of regular exercise may reduce risk--30 minutes of activity on three or four days of the week appears to have a beneficial effect. More research is being done to confirm these findings
Risk Factors That Cannot Be Controlled Sex: Simply being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer. Although some men can (and do) get breast cancer, their overall risk is minimal compared to the risk for women Age: The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. About 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women over age 50 Genetic risk factors: About 1 case of breast cancer in 10 is linked to changes (mutations) in certain genes. The most common gene changes are those of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. But other gene changes may raise breast cancer risk as well Family history: Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother's or father's side of the family. Having a mother, sister, or daughter diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50 almost doubles a woman's risk Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with cancer in one breast has a three to four times greater chance of developing a new cancer in the other breast or another part of the same breast. This is different from a recurrence of the first cancer Race: White women are more likely to develop breast cancer than are black women, but black women are more likely to die of this cancer. Asian, Hispanic, and American-Indian women have a lower risk of breast cancer History of abnormal breast biopsy: Having a previous biopsy result of atypical hyperplasia increases a woman's breast cancer risk by 4 to 5 times Radiation: Women who have had chest area radiation treatment have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer. Some reports found the risk to be 12 times normal Menstrual periods: Women who began having periods early (before 12 years of age) or who went through menopause after the age of 50 have an increased risk of breast cancer Treatment with DES: In the 1940s through the 1960s some pregnant women were given DES (diethylstilbestrol) because it was thought to lower their chances of miscarriage. Recent studies have shown that these women have about a 35 percent increased risk of developing breast cancer, and their daughters who were exposed to DES in the womb also have an increased risk
Prevalence of Self-Reported Risk Factors for Georgia Women
Based on the Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2002-2006:
Exercise: Participants were asked if they had engaged in any physical activity in the past month. Twenty-nine percent of women reported no leisure-time physical activity. Among women aged 40 and older, 33 percent reported no physical activity. Among women who reported not having health insurance, 34 percent reported no leisure time physical activity.
Alcohol Use: Participants were asked if they had had at least one alcoholic drink in the previous 30 days. For those who said yes, they were asked how many drinks they averaged on the days they drank. Among all women who reported having drunk alcohol in the past month, 44 percent averaged 2-5 drinks per occasion. For women 40 and

older, 38 percent averaged 2-5 drinks per occasion. For women with no health insurance, 56 percent averaged 2-5 drinks per occasion. Overweight/Obesity: Participants were asked to report their height and weight, and their resulting Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on those responses. BMI greater than or equal to 25 is considered overweight, and greater than or equal to 30 is considered obese. Fifty-four percent of participating women had a calculated BMI that placed them as overweight or obese, and 59 percent of women 40 and older were considered overweight or obese. Fifty-eight percent of women who reported having no health insurance were considered overweight or obese.
Prevention of Breast Cancer
Although it is not possible to prevent the development of breast cancer simply by avoiding your exposure to the controllable risk factors mentioned above, there have been recent advances in the use of breast cancer preventive drugs. These drugs have estrogen-blocking properties, which help to prevent the occurrence of breast cancer (and also have the benefit of preventing/treating osteoporosis). The two drugs are tamoxifen, which has been in use for several years already for both treatment and prevention; and raloxifene, a relatively new drug approved by the FDA in 2007. So far raloxifene has been proven beneficial in post-menopausal women who are already at high risk for breast cancer. Both drugs seem to be useful in controlling the occurrence of invasive cancer, however, tamoxifen is also beneficial for use with non-invasive cancers.
What are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The number of breast cancers that are found before symptoms occur has increased largely due to the widespread use of mammography screening. However, some breast cancers are not found because even under ideal conditions, mammography does not detect every cancer, which is why it is important to have clinical breast examinations as well for a more complete screening.
The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A lump that is painless, hard, and has irregular edges is more likely to be cancer. Some rare cancers are tender, soft, and rounded, which is why it's important to have anything unusual checked by a health professional that is trained to perform clinical breast examinations.
Other signs of breast cancer include the following: A swelling of part of the breast Skin irritation or dimpling Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin A nipple discharge other than breast milk A lump in the underarm area

What are the Top Five Cancers in Georgia?

Top Five Cancer Sites and Cancer-Related Deaths, Georgia Females

Cases
Breast Lung & Bronchus Colon & Rectum Uterine Corpus
Melanoma

Deaths
Lung & Bronchus Breast
Colon & Rectum Pancreas Ovary

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in Georgia. One in 8 American females will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

At What Age is Breast Cancer Most Often Diagnosed?

Georgia Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Age Group and Race

R ate pe r 10 0,0 00 popula tion R ate pe r 10 0,0 00 popula tion

2002-2006 Inc idence - White 2002-2006 Incidence - Black

45 0 404

40 0

352

363 365

35 0

311

320

30 0 252245
25 0

20 0 140149
15 0

10 0

50 12 15 0 0-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+

Age Group

2002-2006 Mortality - White 2002-2006 Mortality - Black

2 00 178
1 80

1 60

145

1 40

1 20 98

1 00

88

78

80

63

64

60

39

40

30

17

20 1 3

0

0-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+

Age Group

Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.

Although breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are highest in older women, breast cancer may also occur in younger women. In Georgia, women over the age of 60 have the highest rate of breast cancer; however, black women have higher incidence rates than white women at younger ages. Mortality rates steadily increase with age; the highest mortality rates are seen in women 80 years of age and older. In all age groups, black women have higher mortality rates than white women. Before the age of 40, breast cancer deaths are very rare, but they do occur occasionally. Every year, about 49 Georgia women under 40 years of age die from breast cancer.

What is the Treatment for Breast Cancer?
Each type of treatment has benefits and side effects. Age, overall health, and the stage of the cancer are all factors to consider. Staging is a standardized way to summarize information about how far a cancer has spread from its point of origin. In situ breast cancers are contained within the ducts or lobules inside the breast. Localized breast cancers have invaded the breast tissue and fat, but have not spread beyond the breast. Regional stage breast cancers have spread beyond the breast to the chest wall, skin, and/or to the lymph nodes of the breast and underarm area on the same side of the chest. Distant stage breast cancers have spread to distant sites such as bone (except adjacent rib), liver, or lung, or the other breast. Distant stage also includes dissemination to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest or to distant lymph nodes.
Surgery: Most women with breast cancer will have some type of surgery to treat the primary breast tumor. The purpose of surgery is to remove as much of the cancer as possible. The type of surgery performed will depend mainly on the stage of the tumor. There are several surgical treatment options to be considered that will take into account the tumor characteristics, the recommendations of the surgeon and/or oncologist, and the preference of the patient. These options include: Lumpectomy (the breast lump and some normal tissue around it are removed) Simple mastectomy (the entire breast is removed) Modified radical mastectomy (the entire breast and some of the lymph nodes under the arm are removed). Radical mastectomy (the entire breast, lymph nodes, and some of the chest wall muscle and skin are removed--this type of surgery is now generally reserved for the most advanced cases)
Two additional surgical options are useful when combined with reconstructive surgery to restore the breast's appearance: skin-sparing mastectomy and subcutaneous (nipple-sparing) mastectomy Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill the cancer cells. If chemotherapy is given after surgery (adjuvant therapy) it can reduce the chance of the cancer returning. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is given

before surgery, often to shrink the tumor making it easier to remove. Chemotherapy can also be used as the main treatment for cancer that has spread outside the breast and underarm area or spreads widely after initial treatment Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is treatment with high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells. The radiation may come from outside the body (external radiation) or from radioactive materials placed directly in the tumor (internal or implant radiation). Radiation therapy may be used to destroy cancer cells remaining in the breast, chest wall, or underarm area after surgery or, less often, to reduce the size of a tumor before surgery. For women with certain types of early-stage breast cancers (especially without the involvement of lymph nodes), a recent study has shown that a shorter course of radiation may be just as beneficial as the traditional, longer course Hormone Therapy: The female hormone estrogen can increase the growth of breast cancer cells in some women. A drug such as tamoxifen, which blocks the effect of estrogen, can be given to counter this growth Immunotherapy: The HER2/neu protein is a growth-promoting protein found in normal breast cells and most breast cancers. Some breast cancers have too much of this protein which can cause the cancer to grow and spread faster. Herceptin can stop the HER2/neu protein from causing breast cancer cell growth. It may also help the immune system to better attack the cancer

Who Survives Breast Cancer?
Percent of US Women Surviving Five Years after Diagnosis with Breast Cancer, by Stage of Disease and Race, 1999-2005

Pe rc ent of Wom en Surv iv ing 5 Y ea rs

100

90

78 80

60

40

20

0 All Stages

Black
99 94

White
85 72

Localized

Regional

25 16
Distant

% of tumors found at this stage*

US Black US White GA Black GA White

Localized
51% 61% 42% 51%

Regional
39% 32% 31% 25%

Distant
8% 4% 6% 3%

* Unstaged tumors are not shown. US data is for 1999-2005; Georgia data is for 2002-2006

Survival rates depend mainly on two elements: how early the cancer is detected, and the pathology of the tumor (how aggressive it is). Early detection is important because survival for early stage breast cancer is much greater than that for later stage disease. Five-year survival for tumors found in the localized stage is 94 percent among US black women and 99 percent among US white women. In Georgia, about 42 percent of cases among black women and about 51 percent of cases among white women are diagnosed in the localized stage. If the cancer is diagnosed at the distant stage, five-year survival drops to about 16 percent for US black women and 25 percent for US white women. Detection and treatment of breast cancer have greatly improved in recent years, with the five-year relative US survival rate for all stages combined significantly increasing from 75 percent in 19741976 to 89 percent in 1999-2005.

Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality
Black women in Georgia have lower breast cancer incidence rates than white women, and yet have higher mortality, especially among younger women. A number of research studies have attempted to figure out why this is occurring. Various causes have been considered such as lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, access to care, and biological causes such as tumor subtypes. One way to classify breast tumors is by their expression, or lack thereof, of hormone receptors (estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2). Recently, attention has been paid to triple negative tumors those that lack expression of all three hormones. Research has shown that these particular tumors seem to be more prevalent in younger women (particularly black women) and are not only more aggressive, but show poorer response to breast cancer treatments which may account for part of the disparity. Since socioeconomic status, access to and use of care, and other behavioral characteristics still play a part in the breast cancer prognosis, further research will need to be conducted to clarify the relationship among all risk factors, as well as any possible biologic differences in other racial/ethnic groups.

How Does Breast Cancer Vary by Region?

Georgia Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates by Race and Geography

2002-2006 Incidence 2002-2006 Mortality

Rate per 100,000 Population

140

119 120

117

104

119

115

100

80

60

40

24

31

31

23

22

20

0 State of Georgia Urban Black

Rural Black

Urban White Rural White

Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.

Women living in Georgia's urban counties are at a slightly greater risk of developing breast cancer than are women living in rural Georgia. Incidence rates are seven percent higher and mortality rates are four percent higher in urban counties than in rural counties. The urban/rural difference seems to have diminished over time while the racial difference in both incidence and mortality rates persists. This may be due to the fact that as of 2003, 44 percent of Georgia's 159 counties have been classified as urban.
White women living in urban areas of Georgia have the highest breast cancer incidence rate in Georgia (119 per 100,000). Black women living in rural Georgia have the lowest rate (104 per 100,000).
Breast cancer mortality rates are nearly 40 percent higher among urban black women (31 per 100,000) than among rural white women (22 per 100,000).

Health districts in southern and northwest Georgia have significantly lower breast cancer incidence rates than the state as a whole, and several health districts in the metro Atlanta/North Georgia area as well as the coast have significantly higher rates. Screening may play a large role in this phenomenon; women in rural areas may not have adequate access to screening and would therefore not be diagnosed as often.

How Does Georgia Compare with the United States?

Rate per 100,000 population

Breast Cancer Mortality Rates, Georgia vs. the US, by Race, 1980-2006

US White

US Black

GA White

GA Black

45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10
5 0
1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Year of Death
Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.

From 1980 through 2006, the breast cancer mortality rates among Georgia women were slightly lower than for the rest of the United States. Mortality rates are generally higher among black women than white women.
From 1980 through 1989, mortality rates for both black and white women in Georgia increased. During the 1990s, rates for white women leveled off and started to decrease, while rates for black women fluctuated, peaking in 1993. From 2002 through 2006, rates continued to decrease for white women, and began to decrease for black women as well.

Screening and Treatment Options in Georgia
For women who have health insurance and do not live below the poverty line, their private doctor/nurse practitioner will be the most likely provider for breast cancer screening. However, what happens to women who are in need of screening or diagnostic testing for breast cancer who don't have insurance or the funds to afford the tests?
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990. The purpose of the Early Detection Program is to provide access to breast and cervical screening to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured women. The NBCCEDP works by funding screening programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, and 12 American Indian/Alaska Native tribal organizations. For breast cancer specifically, the NBCCEDP will refer eligible women to a local provider for mammograms, clinical breast examinations, follow-up diagnostic testing if needed, and referral for treatment in the event of a positive diagnosis.
In the state of Georgia the program is called the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (also known as the Cancer Screening Program and formerly known as BreasTest and More). It was launched in 1994, and is funded primarily by both the CDC and the state. Additional funding sources include Susan G. Komen for the Cure as well as some family planning funds.
Different funding sources have particular goals and objectives for the types of women they predominantly screen. For example, CDC has a specific breast cancer screening goal that at least 75 percent of federally funded screening mammograms must be given to women ages 50-64 because they are a priority population at greater risk for the disease.
Eligibility
To be considered eligible for the program in Georgia, a woman must: - Have a household income of less than 200 percent (double) of the Federal Poverty Level - Have no insurance or be underinsured (and not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid assistance) - Must not have had a mammogram in the past year (otherwise, must be displaying symptoms of possible breast cancer)
Screening mammograms are limited to women ages 40-64, however, younger women may access the program to receive a diagnostic mammogram if they meet the above criteria and have suspicious symptoms. Women whose screening procedures show abnormalities may be sent for rescreening for proper diagnosis or confirmation.

Following a Positive Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer through the Georgia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (or elsewhere, but are low-income and uninsured), have options available to assist with treatment.
Women's Health Medicaid Program
The Women's Health Medicaid Program is administered in Georgia through the Georgia Department of Community Health, and was established in 2001 following the passage of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000.
Low-income women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and need to access treatment can apply to the program. In order to be considered eligible, women must:
- Meet the financial requirement for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program - Be under 65 years of age - Be a US citizen and Georgia resident - Must not have health coverage (and not be eligible for Medicare or Medicaid)
Accomplishments and Limitations
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Program of Georgia has helped thousands of women gain access to vital breast cancer screening tools such as mammograms and clinical breast exams over the years. Specifically, during the 2006 calendar year, almost 20,000 women were provided a mammogram and/or CBE, and almost 200 breast cancers were detected through the program. Of those cancers, over 50 percent were considered invasive.
Financial realities are an important limitation of the program, and BCCP cannot serve all women in need. Funding amounts fluctuate over time, and providers can only perform as many screenings as the money allows. The US Census Bureau estimates that in 2006, the state of Georgia had approximately 131,000 uninsured women age 40-64 living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (which coincides with the eligibility criteria for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program). Thus, only about 15 percent of the eligible women in Georgia were able to take advantage of the screening and diagnostic services offered.

Where Can I Find Out More about Breast Cancer?

American Cancer Society Telephone: 1-800-ACS-2345 Internet Address: http://www.cancer.org

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Information Service Telephone: 1-800-4-CANCER or 800-422-6237 Internet Address: http://www.cancer.gov/

Cancer Control Planet Internet Address: http://cancercontrolplanet.cancer.gov/
Encore Plus Program of the YWCA Office of Women's Health Initiatives Telephone: 1-800-953-7587 or 202-467-0801 Internet Address: http://www.ywca.org

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship Telephone: 1-877-NCCS-YES or 877-622-7937 Internet Address: http://www.canceradvocacy.org/
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Telephone: 1-800-IM AWARE or 800-462-9273 Internet Address: http://www.komen.org/

National Breast Cancer Coalition Telephone: 1-800-622-2838 or 202-296-7477 Internet Address: http://www.natlbcc.org or
http://www.stopbreastcancer.org

Y-Me National Breast Cancer Hotline Telephone: 1-800-221-2141, 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish) Internet Address: http://www.y-me.org

Technical Notes

Definitions: Age-adjusted rate: A rate calculated in a manner that allows for the comparison of rates derived from populations with different age structures. Cancer incidence rate: The number of new cancer cases occurring in a population during a specified period of time. Often expressed per 100,000 population. Cancer mortality rate: The number of cancer deaths occurring in a population during a specified period of time. Often expressed per 100,000 population.

Data Sources: The number of deaths and mortality rates for the state of Georgia were obtained from the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Vital Records Branch. The number of deaths and mortality rates for the United States were obtained from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) and from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, National Cancer Institute. Mortality data were coded using ICD-9 (1980-1998) and ICD-10 codes (1999-2006). The ICD-9 codes for breast cancer are 174.0-174.9, while the ICD-10 codes are C50.0:C50.9.

The number of new cases and incidence rates for the state of Georgia were obtained from the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry. The number of new cases and incidence rates for the United States were obtained from NAACCR. Incidence data were coded using ICD-O3 codes (2002-2006). The ICD-O codes used for breast cancer are C50.0:C50.9.

Cancer stage and survival data for the United States were obtained from SEER.

Population estimates for 1980-2006 and the 2000 US standard population were obtained from the US Bureau of the Census.

Methods: Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 population and age-adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 US standard population. The incidence rates are five-year average annual rates for the period 2002 through 2006. Mortality rates were calculated per 100,000 population and age-adjusted by the direct method to the 2000 US standard population. Except where calculated to show trends, the mortality rates are five-year average annual rates for 2002 through 2006.