Digital communication can bridge the gap of racial difference in breast cancer care

Approximately 14,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Cases that could be prevented or treated with better education from screening to treatment based on improved provider-patient communication, says a researcher from Michigan State University.

The issue is particularly acute for Black women, said Sabrina Ford, an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Regenerative Biology within the MSU College of Human Medicine. Ford’s research was published online Feb. 1 in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.

“More Black women were being screened for breast cancer (compared to white women) but they were still dying of breast cancer at twice the rate,” she said. “It didn’t make sense.”

When black women were told they had abnormal breast cancer on their Pap test screening, they often failed their medical provider. The reason for this is complex and two-fold. One process is about education and information. Providing clear clinical information in an easily accessible format is essential in patient communication.

“Culture emerges because black women get their information from family, friends and personal experience,” she said. “Sometimes there is medical distrust, shame or fear and so some of women delaying or not following. “

The other prong is about communication, especially how medical providers communicate with their patients. A doctor who tries not to intimidate a patient may not tell their patients enough information, for example that the Pap test scans for cancer. Giving a patient a one-page leaflet about cervical cancer could lead to it being lost, unreadable or misunderstood according to a patient’s health literacy.

Ford learned that improvements are needed to both masts to close the gap of difference. Women want to receive text messages about their health care, Ford said, but at this time they cannot because of federal medical privacy and telecommunications laws. With management changes, patients could receive provider text messaging permission, upon completion of original office paperwork.

Black women also reported using their online patient portal, which also allows patients to be educated and counseled so that they can make informed decisions.

Another gap is communicating regular messages. Medical providers should provide patients with dressing information on all fronts: in the office, on the patient’s portal, leaflets and leaflets or text messages.

“We can’t blame the patient. We can’t blame the doctor either when the communication is not clear,” she said. “I want to move the needle forward on cervical cancer and HPV. They are very potent, preventable and could be eliminated.”