Executive Summary
This grant proposal is for a public health and research initiative developed by the Susan G. Komen to address the issue of breast cancer among young adults. An increased prevalence, and therefore, morbidity and mortality in the young adult age group 18-35 is of growing concern. Furthermore, research indicates that the majority of young adults due to not engage in healthy behaviors or conduct self-examinations or clinical mammograms that would enable early recognition of cancerous tissue which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment and increases the risk of survival. A lack of education, experience, or comfort with the topic contribute to the issue in this vulnerable population in combination with economic and social insecurity that limit access to healthcare.
The initiative consists of a two-tier program which is composed of an educational component and a healthcare screening and examination. In combination, free access to these critical aspects of breast cancer awareness will contribute to an increased recognition of the disease. It is hypothesized that helping to develop awareness and competent health habits at an early age will lead to similar behaviors after 40 years of age when risk factors and incidence rates for breast cancer increase dramatically.
The Susan G. Komen has analyzed its revenues and program costs, and it is estimated that the program will cost $9,585,000. The organization is the largest and most reputable fundraising foundation for breast cancer in the United States. It is proud to be at the forefront of widespread public health initiatives to improve the education and lives of young women.
Statement of Need
Breast cancer prevalence is increasing in the young adult population. Furthermore, survival rates have remained stagnant due to more aggressive and invasive forms of breast cancer found in young women. Traditionally, cancer is associated with older adults over the age of 40. While only 4% of breast cancer cases affected women under 40 and less than 100 people were under the age of 30 in 2017, this age group is seeing gradual annual growth of incidence rates.
In a study conducted with college students majoring in various disciplines of health care, it was determined that 53.3% conducted regular breast self-examinations and only 12% received an annual clinical breast examination, despite having knowledge about the disease. Other studies among college students show that knowledge about breast cancer is potentially outdated, inconsistent, or inaccurate. Results vary by race as well, suggesting the existence of vulnerable populations. The popular culture misconceptions and lack of knowledge about breast cancer are critical factors since education is one of the primary indicators for the performance of risk-reducing behaviors. Furthermore, the education and screening provided to young adults may result in positive health practices and comfort in later years, when risk factors and rates for breast practice tend to increase.
If research shows such discouraging results among college-based students, it can be assumed that young adults without an education may become at-risk. College education attainment is approximately 33% in the United States. Vulnerable populations, primarily racial or ethnic minorities, may face particular barriers in health care access and educational programs about breast cancer. Adolescents, which comprise 22% of the United States population are more at-risk from preventable morbidities than other age groups. They are faced with barriers such as lack of economic security, uncertainty, and unhealthy lifestyles which are all counter-productive to disease prevention of conditions like breast cancer.
It is critical to invest in young adult breast-cancer initiatives by ensuring health care delivery and education to a population that may not have the resources to access it. In general, adolescents are susceptible to competently adhered influence and support global causes such as breast cancer awareness which would reflect on personal health behaviors. Encouraging participation in initiatives may address a highly prevalent issue of breast cancer in a population that is not publicly recognized as being at-risk for the disease.
Project Description
This grant proposal seeks funding for a comprehensive, extensive, and sweeping project initiative that focuses on addressing the prevalence of breast cancer in the young adult female population. The purpose of this program would be to ensure prevention and low fatality rates through an emphasis on health behaviors and early recognition of the disease. This would be achieved through a two-tier system of specifically targeted education and a screening process which would allow for access to healthcare. The program directors hope that by addressing breast cancer at an early age when prevalence remains at its lowest, proper training and education would help women to use the information and practices at later ages. The effect is long-term and does not guarantee immediate results, but targeted health promotion to form life-saving habits are best addressed at the young adult population 18-35 years of age.
The organization realizes the extent, significant planning, and tremendous costs of a nationwide initiative. It is suggested that a trial initiative is implemented at first at a smaller level, in order to evaluate challenges to implementation, adherence to the program, and the results presented. This proposal will focus on addressing the planning, function, and budgeting of a small-scale program. The program will be developed in partnership with colleges and universities in a selected region. These places have the largest conglomeration of young adults than any other institution. The program will last for three months and is planned to encompass at least 25,000 females. Afterward, annual evaluations will be conducted for two more years in order to assess the results of the initiative in impacting health behaviors. The Susan G. Komen will cover significant costs with active fundraising from donors, universities, and government. The initiative will attract significant interest due to its unconventional approach to a long-term decrease in breast cancer mortality rather than reactionary methods that most current programs use. The initiative will consist of an educational program and a screening initiative described below:
- Educational Program – a broad scale advocacy for the cause on university campuses will encourage students to attend a series of lectures on the topic. These lectures will also be recorded on video and shared through the web and social media platforms. Additional educational materials such as pamphlet booklets and email newsletters will be sent out. This initiative will be enabled by the campus administration and can be combined with other popular cancer fundraising events occurring on college campuses annually.
- Screening Program – a comprehensive, free, one-time mammogram procedure that all women in the age group will be encouraged to attend. The program is meant to ensure that women feel comfortable with the examination as many have not had a mammogram at such a young age and may feel insecure. Participants will also be shown how to conduct self-examinations of the breast tissue and encouraged to have a mammogram done on an annual basis. The program costs will be extensive. Many universities run hospitals which have the necessary equipment and professionals. Community members fitting in the young adult age group will also be encouraged to attend both educational and screening programs.
Budget
Organizational Information
The Susan G. Komen organization is the largest non-profit organization focusing on breast cancer prevention, education, research, and treatment. It was founded by Nancy G. Brinker in 1982 in loving memory of her sister who passed away from breast cancer. In the 36 years of operation, the Susan G. Komen foundation has grown into worldwide influencer on the issue of breast cancer, understanding community needs and barriers facing women in attaining the necessary education or care. It has invested more than $2.9 billion into various initiatives, including $956 million into critical research and $2.1 billion in the form of advocacy and medical care. The organization maintains a prominent level of reliability and trust within the community, attracting significant funding from wealthy donors and support from a variety of public and private healthcare entities. The non-profit attributes that the 39% decline in breast cancer mortality from 1989 to 2014 has been due to significant efforts from the Susan G. Komen foundation, funding and advocating the issue as of extreme importance and relevance.
Conclusion
The increasing prevalence of breast cancer amongst the young adult population as well as the overall concern for the lack of education or preventive measures being taken creates an increased risk of morbidity and mortality for future generations. The Susan G. Komen foundation is seeking to implement a program in partnership with universities and health care providers that would provide a widespread initiative with educational and screening components on breast cancer awareness. This would provide the knowledge, tools, and comfort for young women to recognize the necessity to conduct routine examinations for breast cancer and be aware of common symptoms, treatments, and healthy behaviors.
The organization is seeking the funding of $9,585,000 as outlined in the budget proposal. The Susan G. Komen foundation is one of the most recognizable and trusted brands and organizations in breast cancer fundraising and initiatives. The organization’s extensive history and experience working with the public, as well as its trusted research and community outreach teams, make it an appropriate choice for such an unconventional and long-term approach to breast cancer prevention. It is necessary to implement the program as soon as possible in order to evaluate its effectiveness before potentially expanding it nationwide.