Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Breast Cancer Awareness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Orleans council honors survivors and hears local doctors urge expanded screening, survivorship services
Summary
Local oncologists and public-health officials briefed the City Council on high breast cancer incidence and mortality in Louisiana, urged expanded screening and survivorship services, and the council issued proclamations honoring survivors and community programs.
Local breast-cancer specialists presented data and personal perspectives to the New Orleans City Council on the high incidence and mortality rates in Louisiana, emphasized barriers to early detection and survivorship care, and received proclamations honoring survivors and community programs.
Dr. Sean McKinney, a clinical breast surgeon at University Medical Center, described Louisiana's elevated breast-cancer incidence and mortality and cited barriers such as late-stage diagnosis, limited access to mammography and economic constraints that can delay care. "We need to continue to expand programs that make early detection more possible and probable for everyone regardless of income, their neighborhood, or their insurance status," McKinney said.
Dr. Michelle Locke, a medical oncologist at LSU Health New Orleans, highlighted access to clinical trials and the need for precision-medicine approaches tailored to patient populations. Dr. Lacey Tillman, chronic-disease program manager at the New Orleans Health Department, emphasized rising incidence among women under 40 and noted risk factors including obesity and lifestyle.
Denise Rubyon Johnson, MD, of the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program described the program's navigator services that provide transportation and remove practical barriers for income-eligible patients; she said mammograms are provided at no cost to eligible patients and the program will refer patients to University Medical Center when needed.
Council members presented proclamations to community honorees, including survivor groups, athletes and longtime advocates; the council recognized the Survivor Rowing Club, Jessica Honeycutt and other community leaders and survivors. Councilmember Thomas led the event and thanked the medical panel for framing both the science and the policy opportunities.
Speakers stressed survivorship needs beyond treatment, including reconstruction, mental-health services, physical therapy and employment reintegration. Council members emphasized the importance of mobile mammography, community screening events and continued year-round investment in prevention and survivorship.
