The vision of Susan G. Komen is to achieve a world without breast cancer, but with a rising incidence, someone around the world is diagnosed every 14 seconds. Breast cancer is rapidly becoming a global health crisis.
Today, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. About 2.3 million new cases and more than 666,000 deaths were expected in 2022 (most recent data available). Only a few countries are on track to meet the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative goal of reducing breast cancer mortality by 2.5% annually. By 2040, more than 3 million people are expected to be diagnosed each year, and over 1 million will die annually.
These numbers are occurring despite major advances in research, diagnosis and treatment. Access to quality care remains limited worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where health care needs often compete with economic constraints.
Komen has joined a multidisciplinary team of international experts including scientists, policy advocates and individuals with lived experiences of breast cancer. The goal is to catalyze global prioritization of breast cancer and drive policy actions and implementation of health care system transformation to improve breast cancer care for all patients.
The result is the launch of a powerful new tool called the Breast Cancer Care Quality Index (BCCQI), which is strategically designed to transform the way breast cancer care is measured and improved worldwide.
What is the Breast Cancer Care Quality Index (BCCQI) and How Does it Work?
The BCCQI is a tool designed to assist ministries of health and other policymakers assess and measure the governance, financing, resource allocation, patient care and outcomes that impact the quality of care received by breast cancer patients.
The tool scores each of four categories, or “indicators,” including early detection, timely diagnosis, comprehensive management and health care system resilience. Scores from each indicator are combined for an overall index score, which helps highlight existing gaps in care or areas that need improvement.
The BCCQI can help countries prioritize where they can improve patient care. Some may choose to train health care workers more, while others might work on giving patients better access to support services. Because this system is designed to be flexible and ongoing, different countries can tailor their plans and actions to suit their own unique needs and challenges. This means even countries with less money can still achieve real progress.
“How country ‘A’ gets there may not be the same way that country ‘B’ gets there, but it allows for innovation and adaptation,” explains Victoria Wolodzko Smart, Komen senior vice president of mission. “It’s not about taking what works here in the U.S. and lifting it up and planting it in another country. How you get to the end doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re getting there for your patients. It’s all about ensuring the best possible outcomes and survivorship for every person impacted by breast cancer.”
Additionally, the BCCQI serves as a powerful tool for advocacy. It equips local advocates, health care providers and patients with the evidence and tools they need to push for meaningful policy change. By clearly identifying gaps in care, the BCCQI enables advocates make a strong case for needed policy changes and drive needed improvements from the ground up.
Komen’s Commitment to Global Health
Prior to collaborating with international partners on the development of the BCCQI, Komen had a long history of supporting efforts to reduce deaths from breast cancer on a global level. Komen is invested in the World Health Organization’s Breast Cancer Global Initiative and is also a member and financial supporter of the Union of International Cancer Control (UICC), a non-governmental organization working to reduce the global cancer burden.
As Komen remains focused on achieving a world without breast cancer, the BCCQI offers a new opportunity to help countries turn that vision into reality. As a leading voice in breast cancer advocacy, Komen is ready to support our global partners with the guidance and resources needed to drive meaningful, lasting change.
“A tool like the BCCQI is giving countries a road map to show where they need to go,” Victoria says. “And for Komen, this is just the first step in the U.S. building stronger collaborations with other global breast cancer advocacy organizations. Whether anyone is starting at the top, or at the very beginning, every step taken is a valuable step in saving lives.”
Learn more about how the BCCQI is helping measure and improve breast cancer outcomes worldwide.
You can make a difference in your own community and help improve breast cancer care and outcomes for everyone. Learn more about how to get involved in local grassroots policy efforts and use your personal story to drive meaningful change:
- Raise your voice! Encourage lawmakers to pass legislation that saves lives.
- Sign up to become an Advocacy Insider.
- Share your story.
