The Allegheny County Breast Consortium (ACBC): Developing Synergy for Breast Cancer Control

Individuals sitting at panel discussion talking into microphones

Abstract

Allegheny County continues to experience racial and economic breast cancer survival disparity at an unacceptable rate. The Allegheny County Breast Consortium (ACBC) is a unique regional cooperative of more than 20 representatives from community, health care and academic organizations, including Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh, Adagio Health, Magee Womancare International, Allegheny Health Network, and the Breast Cancer Research Advocacy Network (bcRAN). The ACBC was incubated in 2012 at the Graduate School of Public Health and is now housed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. The ACBC’s preliminary work identified neighborhoods with particularly high breast cancer mortality among African American women. Through concept mapping, these neighborhoods identified their unique barriers and facilitators of breast health. The ACBC will develop community marketing materials, outreach strategies, and coordinate media events in cooperation with Beckham Media, an advertising agency focused on underserved community outreach. With eager community champions working to improve breast cancer outcomes, the ACBC will build the infrastructure for a strong network of breast cancer community engagement, offering easy access to local breast cancer resources. The ultimate goal of this work is to establish a permanent community group of breast cancer support, education, and advocacy for the underserved women of Allegheny County in the McKeesport, Braddock and Penn Hills communities.

Project Lead

Margaret Rosenzweig
Nursing

Select Collaborators

Ruth Modzelewski
Susan G Komen

Casey Monroe
Adagio Health

Carolla Neuman
Breast Cancer Research

Karen Schwarerer
Allegheny Health Network

Nicole Travis
Breast Cancer Research

Goal Area