LAST UPDATED:
17 February 2025
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
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.5,6,7 However, significant inequities persist in breast cancer care, thus the reduction in breast cancer mortality has not been shared equally among patient populations. Patients often experience differences in their diagnosis, treatment and care based on who they are and where they live, rather than their clinical needs.2,3,4
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.
Improving access to patient navigation services
In its inaugural year, the Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant programme focused 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
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.6,8,9 It has been identified as a critical resource for patients with breast cancer as it has been suggested to improve patient outcomes, and reduce the impact on healthcare systems,10,11 and can help to reduce inequities in breast cancer care.3,9
However, there are significant barriers to accessing patient navigation services7,12 - and these are even more pronounced amongst hard-to-reach patients and those living in areas of low socioeconomic status.7,8 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
Patient navigation has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as an effective, evidence-informed intervention to support the framework of the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI).11
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.
2024 grant awardees
With more than 160 applications from 59 countries, seven inspiring programmes have been selected to receive the inaugural Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant.
Prioritising Patient Navigation for Patients with Breast Cancer in El Salvador
The grant will enhance the breast cancer patient navigation strategy in El Salvador by training health personnel via a standardised, continuous and evidence-based method to raise community awareness and provide practical assistance to patients, survivors, relatives and caregivers.
Screening Help Initiative for Empowerment and Learning in Disadvantaged Women (S.H.I.E.L.D. Women)
The grant will support a new programme to train volunteers as patient navigators, empowering them to guide and support disadvantaged patients throughout their breast cancer diagnosis and care journey, emphasising the importance of early detection and treatment.
Women Empowering Women: Breast Cancer Navigation and Technology Programme (WEW-BCNAP)
The grant will help train and empower 60 breast cancer survivors and retired nurses as patient navigators, utilising mobile technology to overcome barriers to care in hard-to-reach communities to ensure timely access to evidence-based breast cancer treatment.
Establishing Improved Patient Navigation Services for Patients with Breast Cancer Across Argentina
The grant will enhance an existing patient navigator programme in Mendoza, Argentina to improve the early and ongoing management of breast cancer, and to serve as a proof of concept for expansion of similar programmes throughout Argentina.
Enabling Culturally Sensitive Patient Navigation for Underserved Immigrant Latinas
The grant will support patient navigation services specifically tailored to the underserved immigrant Latina community, leveraging culturally sensitive language and practices to improve the patient experience and access to breast cancer care.
Patient Navigation to Achieve Timely and Efficient Breast Cancer Care in an Under-Resourced Setting
Demonstrating patient navigation as a critical investment to improve outcomes for individual patients and healthcare systems by comparing data between patients who received navigation support and those who did not, focusing on timely diagnosis, treatment adherence and completion of care.
Increasing Access to Patient Navigation for Black Breast Cancer Patients Using Peer Support & Navigation
The grant will help enhance trusted and authentic peer support and navigation services for black breast cancer patients and their families, with a particular focus on those who are economically and socially marginalised. This critical intervention aims to promote equitable care and reduce disparities in outcomes.
2025 Powering Breast Cancer Progress Grant Programme
Stay tuned for more details on the call for entries for the 2025 Powering Breast Cancer Progress grant programme to be announced later this year.
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References
1. World Health Organisation. 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 January 2025.
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. World Health Organisation. Breast cancer inequities. Available at: http://www.who.int/initiatives/global-breast-cancer-initiative/breast-cancer-inequities. Accessed January 2025.
6. Freeman HP, Rodriguez RL: History and principles of patient navigation. Cancer 117:3539-3542, 2011 (suppl 15)
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. Patient Navigation Report, 2023. (Z4-58313).
9. AstraZeneca. Patient Navigation Report, 2023. (Z4-60834).
10. Natale‐Pereira A, Enard KR, Nevarez L, Jones LA. The role of patient navigators in eliminating health disparities. Cancer. 2011 Aug 1;117(S15):3543–52.
11. World Health Organisation. Patient navigation for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Available at: http://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/379225/9789240100954-eng.pdf?sequence=1. Accessed January 2025.
12. 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.
Veeva ID: Z4-71487
Date of preparation: January 2025