More than 2.3 million people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and in 95% of countries, breast cancer is the first or second leading cause of female cancer deaths.1 However, not all patients have access to optimal breast cancer care, which results in notable disparities in outcomes within, and across countries around the globe.2-4
The 2024 Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant is now open!
Full details of the grant programme are provided in the detailed Guidance for Applicants document. Please read this carefully before starting your application.
Eligible organisations can submit their grant application to Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) until 13th June 2024.
Recognising inequities in breast cancer care
The introduction of breast cancer screening, earlier diagnosis and innovative therapies, along with increased disease awareness have significantly improved the survival of people living with breast cancer.5 However, significant inequities persist in breast cancer care, thus the reduction in breast cancer mortality has not been shared equally among patient populations.2-4
Patients often experience differences in their diagnosis, treatment and care based on who they are and where they live, rather than their clinical needs.2-4 These inequities of care can lead to significant disparities in outcomes, for example:
- The decline in breast cancer mortality rates being observed in high-income countries over the past four decades has yet to be achieved in the majority of low- and middle-income countries.6
- Even within countries, inequities of care can be observed based on several factors, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, rural and remote communities, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.2-4
The Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant programme is an initiative funded by AstraZeneca and supported by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). It has been established in recognition of the inequities in breast cancer care around the world and the significant barriers to optimal care that are contributing to avoidable breast cancer deaths. The programme aims to fund innovative and inspiring projects that could help transform breast cancer care for undeserved patient populations and patients living in areas of low socioeconomic status.
In 2024, its inaugural year, the Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant programme will focus on breast cancer patient navigation. Patient navigation is an integral part of the patient experience as it helps individuals navigate their complex care pathway.7,8
Improving access to patient navigation services
Patient navigation refers to the individualised assistance, both clinical and non-clinical, provided to patients to navigate the complex health system from diagnosis to survivorship and/or palliative care.7,9,10 It has been identified as a critical resource for patients with breast cancer as it has been suggested to improve patient outcomes7 and reduce the impact on healthcare systems.11
However, there are significant barriers to accessing patient navigation services, and these are even more pronounced amongst hard-to-reach patients and those living in areas of low socioeconomic status.3,4,12 These barriers include a lack of recognition, inconsistent programme models and approaches and structural barriers, such as limited resources and investment.7 In some countries, training and professionalisation of patient navigators is lacking and, in most cases, there is no officially recognised oncology patient navigation certification, resulting in a lack of navigators, which is being reinforced by the shortage of nurses worldwide.8
Through the Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant programme, we hope to improve the awareness, availability and access to patient navigation programmes for underserved patient populations and patients living in areas of low socioeconomic status.
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References
1. World Health Organization. WHO launches new roadmap on breast cancer. Available at: http://www.who.int/news/item/03-02-2023-who-launches-new-roadmap-on-breast-cancer. Accessed March 2024.
2. Siegel RL, Miller KD, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2020. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020;70:7-30.
3. Brawley OW, Berger MZ: Cancer and disparities in health: Perspectives on health statistics and research questions. Cancer 113:1744-1754, 2008 (suppl 7).
4. Byers T. Two decades of declining cancer mortality: Progress with disparity. Annu Rev Public Health. 2010;31:121–132.
5. Feng Y, et al. Breast cancer development and progression: Risk factors, cancer stem cells, signalling pathways, genomics, and molecular pathogenesis. Genes & diseases. 2018;5(2), 77–106.
6. World Health Organization. Breast cancer inequities.Available at: http://www.who.int/initiatives/global-breast-cancer-initiative/breast-cancer-inequities. Accessed March 2024.
7. Baik SH, Gallo LC, Wells KJ. Patient Navigation in Breast Cancer Treatment and Survivorship: A Systematic Review. J Clin Oncol. 2016 Oct 20;34(30):3686-3696
8. AstraZeneca Data on File. 2023. Patient Navigation Report.
9. Freeman HP, Rodriguez RL: History and principles of patient navigation. Cancer 117:3539-3542, 2011 (suppl 15)
10. AstraZeneca Data on File. 2023. Patient Navigation Report.
11. Chan RJ, et al. Patient navigation across the cancer care continuum: an overview of systematic reviews and emerging literature. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2023 Nov;73(6):565-89.
12. Breast Cancer Now. Breast cancer and inequalities: a review of the evidence. Available at: http://breastcancernow.org/sites/default/files/files/breast-cancer-inequalities-summary.pdf. Accessed March 2024.
Veeva ID: Z4-64220
Date of preparation: April 2024