Beyond the horizon: restructuring breast cancer education and screening for a healthier tomorrow

Abstract

Each year in the United States (U.S.) approximately 42,211 women and men die from breast cancer (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute [CDC], 2024). People experiencing homelessness have a higher incidence of breast cancer and mortality than those who are domiciled individuals (Jeleff et al., 2024). Individuals residing in New Jersey are not exempt from this evident health disparity. To minimize disparities in participation and health consequences, prevention education, screening programs, and equitable healthcare should be accessible to diverse populations. Barriers such as location, availability of programs, educational offerings, insurance coverage, financial restrictions, and approaches of healthcare providers create a deterrent to receive care. Healthcare providers are in a prime position to offer breast cancer education and encourage screening. This research aims to identify the limits the populations of New Jersey face in breast cancer education, screenings, and care.