New York State Department of Health Recognizes World Breast Cancer Research Day

Department Launches Media Campaign Based on Breast Cancer Research Findings

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 16, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes World Breast Cancer Research Day on August 18. Breast cancer can be a life altering diagnosis that can overwhelm individuals and their families and comes with numerous physical, emotional, and financial burdens. The New York State Cancer Registry continues to serve as an important tool for ongoing breast cancer research.

"Breast cancer research not only helps us learn more about this disease so that we may better provide care for patients with the hope of one day finding a cure, but it also empowers health care professionals to better inform the public of personal risk and treatment options," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "On this Breast Cancer Research Day, and every day, we commend and support all the professionals conducting research to better understand this disease."

Breast cancer is the most common and second most deadly form of cancer in females in New York State, with more than 17,000 new cases and approximately 2,400 deaths each year. While males can also suffer from breast cancer, it is much more rare, with about 160 males diagnosed with breast cancer in New York State each year.

While breast cancer can affect anyone, it does not affect everyone equally. According to data on cancer incidence and mortality in New York, non-Hispanic Black individuals experience higher incidence rates of regional and distant stage disease for female breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer in New York State. Non-Hispanic white females have the highest incidence rates of breast cancer while non-Hispanic Black females have the highest mortality rates.

The Department continues to encourage New Yorkers to educate themselves about breast cancer and to get screened. The Department is currently running a multi-media campaign found on social media, webpages and television that targets those more likely to be affected by breast cancer including black women and women over 40. One example of this campaign can be found here.

Helping to inform breast and other types of cancer research, the New York State Cancer Registry participates in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, End Results and Epidemiology program to collect standardized information on all cancer cases in New York. This information allows researchers, doctors, policymakers, public health professionals, and members of the public to monitor current cancer trends, evaluate cancer prevention along with control programs, and identify focus areas for research and policy development.

The New York State Cancer Registry also actively collaborates on research studies that strive to improve cancer outcomes and reduce health disparity gaps. Current studies examine racial disparities in diagnosis and outcomes for breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. These research studies involve collaborations with researchers throughout the U.S. and seek to improve care and outcomes for all New Yorkers diagnosed with cancer. In addition, the New York State Cancer Registry participates in the Virtual Pooled Registry- Cancer Linkage System (VPR-CLS) that allows researchers to conduct minimal risk linkage studies with multiple central cancer registries maps of cancer incidence, information on cancer, its possible causes, and how to interpret cancer data and graphs.

The Department also funds programs and initiatives that aim to educate New Yorkers about breast cancer, provide the support individuals and their families who are impacted by cancer need. These include the New York State Cancer Services Program (CSP) which offers free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings, diagnostic testing, and referrals to treatment that is eligible to uninsured and underinsured patients. The program is administered through 21 CSP grantees and covers every county and borough in New York State. Grantees aim to reach those in need of cancer services with an overall goal to balance the health disparities that certain communities face at the hands of cancer. A list of Community Cancer Programs and where they are located across the State can be found here.

The New York State Cancer Consortium is a statewide network with a mission to achieve cancer control success rates and use collaborative efforts to reduce cancer overall. It is a group made up of almost 400 member organizations from public and private sectors, including cancer research centers, dedicated to saving lives.

Enrolling in health care coverage can improve access to medical care and reduce the risk of illness, including cancer. To enroll in health care coverage or learn about financial assistance options available to lower the cost of health coverage, contact the NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220) or visit Resources | NY State of Health.

The New York State Cancer Registry and cancer statistics can be found here.  

More information on breast cancer, including, prevention, treatment, and resources can be found here.