An appointment will enhance a woman's life by providing peace of mind knowing that there is no sign of breast disease or cancer or assisting with detection of breast disease or cancer and allow for a plan of action to take place for treatment. Studies consistently show that low income, low educational attainment, lack of health insurance, inability to speak English, lack of awareness of breast cancer risks and screening methods, acculturation level and lack of physician referral play important roles in the lower rates of screening utilization by Hispanic and African-American women. Hispanic women have lower breast cancer rates but are 20% more likely to die from the disease because they are less likely to seek health care services than other ethnic groups. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women and they are more likely to be diagnosed with larger tumors and more advanced stages of breast cancer due to delay in seeking health care services. (American Cancer Society website, 2008)

Tumors found at a later, more advanced, stage have fewer treatment options. Some reasons for this may include not being able to get health care or not following up after getting abnormal test results. Other reasons may include distrust of the health care system, the belief that mammograms are not needed, or not having insurance. Lack of not speaking...

(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, 2008)
Outcomes from a survey performed for potential customers based on race and ethnicity showed that there is a market for potential customers for mammograms at Mercy that are aged 40 years and older and that are minorities. (Negrete, G. Survey)

44% Caucasian

28% African-American

16% Hispanic/Latino

8% Bosnian

4% Asian

Mercy Mammography also needs to understand why potential customers are not having a mammogram. (Negrete, G. Survey)

36% Lack of insurance

40% Lack of information about mammograms

16% Not important to me

8% Language barrier

12% Transportation

The survey results showed a need to reach the ethnic groups within the community and provide them with information about resources that can assist them with fees of having a mammogram and provide them with information about the importance of women's health and early detection of breast disease and cancer.

STRATEGY

From the survey it showed that many women within the community do not have information on mammograms and lack insurance. Mercy Mammography is going to provide