Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients, and their Families - Adelphi University, located in New York, is a nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university. The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program (ABCP) is a project at Adelphi University whose mission is to educate, support, empower, and advocate for breast cancer patients, professionals, and the community. In 1980, the first post-mastectomy group met at Adelphi’s School of Social Work and developed the “Woman-to-Woman Hotline.” Today, we have the oldest toll-free breast cancer hotline in the country, available 9 AM to 9 PM and staffed by professionally trained volunteers, all of whom are breast cancer survivors. Over the decades, the program has expanded to include a variety of additional breast cancer-related services, all free and confidential, including the toll-free breast cancer hotline with text messaging capabilities, licensed social work services, support groups, community outreach, breast health workshops and referrals for free or low-cost mammography screening, educational forums, and survivorship programming. The program strives to ensure no person affected by breast cancer faces it alone. The proposed Survivorship, Treatment, Education and Peer Support (STEP) Program will support and improve the quality of life for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, and their families. These women include our priority populations, Hispanic and Black women, and medically underserved individuals, who are amongst the most vulnerable and are more likely to die from the disease. The STEP Program consists of four culturally relevant breast cancer support services that provide (1) survivorship programming, (2) treatment services including licensed social work for individuals and groups, (3) educational outreach, programs for the community, provider education, and referrals, and (4) peer support. ABCP will engage with Mercy Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC), and Northwell Health to provide psychosocial support services, provider education, and evaluation activities. The program will also collaborate with over 30 healthcare providers and community organizations to provide services to the breast cancer community. We will also work collaboratively with other awardees, national organizations, CDC projects, and CDC-funded organizations to continue supporting young and metastatic breast cancer patients and their families. The STEP Program will achieve short-term outcomes of (1) increased engagement of organizations that serve young breast cancer survivors (YBCS) and MBC patients to structural and psychosocial support services, by gathering partners and addressing priorities for YBCS and MBC patients, and (2) increased knowledge of providers of culturally competent literature and humility through provider education, workshops, and CME credits. Intermediate outcomes will include (1) establishing and maintaining psychosocial services in settings utilized by patients, survivors, caregivers, family, and friends, through new partnerships with Mercy Hospital and NUMC and (2) improved health outcomes and a consistent 0% lost-to-follow-up rate for breast cancer patients receiving services and improved family support as patients near end of life, through social work and peer support. Long-term outcomes include (1) reduced breast cancer mortality among underserved women of color across New York State (NYS) by meeting with partners and addressing priorities for YBCS, MBC patients, and their families, and addressing screening rates, particularly in our priority population and those under 40 at high risk and (2) addressing the social determinants that are involved with early detection and adherence to treatment for breast cancer, through individual and group counseling, peer support, and educational interventions. Annually, the project will provide services and support to 25,000 YBCS and MBC patients and their families across NYS.
