Forced by disparities in breast cancer outcomes, the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, School of Population and Public Health, and Novartis have joined forces in a pioneering collaboration to support underserved communities in Los Angeles County with the goal of removing barriers to screening and access.
We are excited to collaborate with Novartis towards our shared goal of identifying key drivers of health disparities and understanding how to improve access. ”
Dr. Chanita Hughes Hulbert, Associate Director for Cancer Health Disparities and Distinguished Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Difference between screening and results
While black women in the U.S. are screened for breast cancer at higher rates than white women, black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. This disparity is not yet fully understood but is associated with a lack of access to timely, high-quality care and resources.
Native American and Hispanic women also face significant disparities in breast cancer screening, and are often diagnosed at later stages compared to white women.
Novartis has a deep history of advancing breast cancer treatment, empowering women to take control of their breast health and making screening a part of daily care.
“At Novartis, we understand that improving breast cancer outcomes also means addressing the barriers that continue to shape how and when people access care,” said Mitchell Medland, Novartis’ senior vice president and U.S. therapeutic area leader, Oncology. “This collaboration reflects our commitment, along with partners like USC, to understand these gaps and apply insights that will help inform a more equitable approach.”
Remove barriers to better care
The collaboration with Novartis will focus on early detection of breast cancer, particularly reaching populations in communities with limited access to breast cancer screening and quality care.
USC researchers will examine everyday obstacles that stand between women and timely care, such as insurance coverage, language barriers, and access to reliable transportation.
Keck School of Medicine of USC and Novartis bring complementary strengths to this collaboration, combining USC’s regional expertise in breast cancer health disparities and population sciences with Novartis’ experience and ability to advance breast cancer care through collaboration and a passion for transforming patient care.
Hughes-Hulbert leads the navigation team at the Ralph Lauren Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Southern California, Norris, and has been passionate about connecting underserved communities to care at comprehensive cancer treatment centers.
Studies have shown that comprehensive cancer centers typically have significantly higher survival rates and a lower risk of death than other facilities.
“Applying the principles of community-based participatory research to collaboration with large industry collaborators increases the likelihood of creative solutions,” said Hughes-Hulbert.
the power of data
The primary focus of this collaboration is to leverage data science to identify where gaps in access to care exist and which communities are most affected compared to state and national benchmarks to develop targeted and meaningful solutions.
Hughes-Hulbert leads the navigation team at the Ralph Lauren Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Southern California, Norris, and has been passionate about connecting underserved communities to care at comprehensive cancer treatment centers.
Studies have shown that comprehensive cancer centers typically have significantly higher survival rates and a lower risk of death than other facilities.
“Applying the principles of community-based participatory research to collaboration with large industry collaborators increases the likelihood of creative solutions,” said Hughes-Hulbert.
Listen to the voices of local communities
Just as important as the data is the opinion from the people behind it. Residents of underserved communities share their experiences and challenges in accessing care and what they think about the most difficult barriers to care.
Together, USC and Novartis aim to develop community-driven strategies that increase awareness of the resources available to patients, including clinic locations, access to clinical trials and funding for lasting improvements in breast cancer treatment.
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Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
