New project aims to decrease breast cancer deaths in north St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - A new project in north St. Louis aims to lower breast cancer death rates for women of color.

Washington University sociologist Sarah Gehlert says even though nationwide, white women are more likely to get breast cancer, black women are about 35 percent more likely to die of the disease.

She says in St. Louis, that number is closer to 60 percent.

Gehlert says she and her project partners want to find out why low-income women in north St. Louis aren't getting the treatment they need - and then do something about it.

"So we're going to first present our findings at town hall meetings on the north side with open microphones for community feedback, and with our partners, try to turn our findings into improvements in the system, so that we can reduce the excess deaths among black women in St. Louis," Gehlert said.

Washington University will work with community organizations and healthcare providers in north St. Louis to develop and implement the project.

Mark Sanford is the executive vice president of the People’s Health Center, one of the north St. Louis healthcare providers working with Wash U on the breast cancer project.

He says researchers will ask women what happened after they were diagnosed with breast cancer, and whether they were able to get treatment.

"It brings the women into it themselves, so the women themselves will let us know that this works, this does not work," Sanford said. "Then we will be able to take that information and roll it up into a cohesive plan that says OK, this is what women are telling us, and this is where change needs to be done."

Sanford believes the project will make it easier for women of color in St. Louis to get the treatment they need.

Véronique LaCapra, St. Louis Public Radio

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