The latest Healthy People national report was recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Healthy People identifies public health priorities to help individuals, organizations, and communities across the United States improve health and well-being. Healthy People provides data-driven, measurable public health objectives – and tools to help track progress toward achieving them throughout the next decade. Healthy People 2030, the initiative’s fifth iteration, builds on knowledge gained over the first four decades.
As 2020 comes to a close and the next decade is before us, Healthy People 2030 has been published. By reflecting on years passed and years to come, we examine what goals were met and how. Within the Healthy People 2020 report, the overall goal for cancer was to “reduce the number of new cancer cases, as well as illness, disability, and death caused by cancer”1. In relation to breast cancer, the objectives included:
- reducing the female breast cancer death rate,
- reducing late-stage female breast cancer diagnosis,
- increasing the proportion of women who receive a breast cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines, and
- increasing the proportion of women who were counseled by their providers about mammograms.
A goal that was present in the 2020 and 2030 reports was increasing the proportion of females who get screened for breast cancer. The target for Healthy People 2020 was reaching the goal of 81.1% of women receiving breast cancer screenings2. According to the most recent data from 2018, 73.8 percent of women ages 50-74 received a cancer screening. In Virginia in 2016, approximately 73% (most recent data) of women ages 45 and older received a mammogram. The target goal for 2030 is 77.1%. Although this appears as a lessened percentage compared to 2020’s goal, the number is adjusted according to population fluctuation. Early detection by mammography decreases the risk of death from breast cancer and can increase options for treatment, possibly resulting in less extensive surgery, or more options with chemotherapy and radiation treatment. 3
In the Healthy People 2030 report, the same goals remain with the addition of one preventive care goal – to increase the proportion of females at increased risk who get genetic counseling for breast and/or ovarian cancer4. There are genetic mutations that can indicate an increased risk of breast cancer, most notably BRCA1 and BRCA2, and genetic counseling can guide patients as to what specific genetic mutations to test for as well as interpret results. Although genetic testing results are not always clear, in knowing the results, an individual has more information to discuss with their doctor to manage any possible risk. With the addition of this preventive-focused goal, there could be a visible increase in people who undergo genetic testing and also receive counseling to expand individuals’ knowledge regarding the next steps.
At the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, we strive to help meet these Healthy People goals by providing free educational materials to inform individuals on the importance of breast cancer screening. Given the current onset of a global pandemic, many women have paused or delayed their mammograms5. In order to aid in achieving the Healthy People 2030 goal of increasing breast cancer screening, VBCF advocates for and encourages access to mammography and genetic testing. Presenting educational material, defending the need for genetic testing results to remain private from employers, and advocating for increased access to health insurance are a few of the ways in which VBCF attempts to aid Virginians with breast cancer.
How can you contribute to helping Virginia and the United States in meeting their healthy people 2030 goal? As the holidays approach, it is an opportune time to discuss health with those you care about. Encourage friends and loved ones to speak with their physicians and to get their annual screenings.
Sources:
1. Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/cancer/objectives
2. Increase the proportion of females who get screened for breast cancer. (2020). Retrieved fromhttps://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/cancer/reduce-female-breast-cancer-death-rate-c-04
3. American Cancer Society. (2020). Breast Cancer Facts & Figures
4. BRCA gene test for breast and ovarian cancer risk. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/brca-gene-test/about/pac-20384815
5. Why A Global Pandemic Should Not Dissuade Women From Getting A Mammogram. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.uchealth.com/en/media-room/covid-19/why-a-global-pandemic-should-not-dissuade -women-from-getting-a-mammogram
