The Keck School of Medicine of USC's Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Novartis announced on June 23 a collaboration aimed at eliminating barriers to breast cancer screening and access for medically underserved communities in Los Angeles County.
Black women in the United States have higher rates of breast cancer screening than white women, but their mortality rate from the disease is about 40% higher. This disparity has been linked to limited access to timely, high-quality care and resources. Native American and Hispanic women also experience significant disparities in breast cancer screening, which often leads to later-stage diagnoses compared to white women.
Novartis brings its history in advancing breast cancer care into this partnership. "At Novartis, we know that improving outcomes in breast cancer also means addressing the barriers that continue to shape how and when people access care," said Mitchell Medland, MHA, MBA, senior vice president, US therapeutic area head, oncology at Novartis. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to understanding those gaps and applying insights that can help inform more equitable approaches, alongside partners like USC."
The collaboration will focus on early detection efforts within communities where access has been limited. Researchers at USC plan to study obstacles such as insurance coverage gaps, language barriers, and transportation challenges that hinder timely care for many women.
Hughes Halbert leads a navigation team at the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention in USC Norris working with community members from underserved areas by connecting them with comprehensive cancer centers. Studies have shown these centers typically have significantly higher survival rates and lower mortality risks than other facilities. "Applying our principles of community-based participatory research to working with a large-scale industry collaborator increases the chances of creative solutions," said Hughes Halbert.
A key part of this effort involves using data science techniques to identify where gaps exist in care compared with state and national benchmarks so targeted solutions can be developed. Community residents will share their experiences regarding difficulties accessing care as part of developing strategies tailored specifically for their needs.
USC and Novartis aim for these efforts not only to raise awareness about available resources—including clinic locations, financial assistance programs, and clinical trial opportunities—but also to create lasting improvements in local breast cancer outcomes.
