Printer FriendlyHealth Insurer Finds Unacceptably Low Use of Mammograms in Hawaii
UHA, Cancer Society Partner to Increase Use of Life-saving Cancer Screening Tool
(HONOLULU, October 4, 2007) UHA, Hawaii's third-largest commercial health insurer, and the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, Inc., are joining forces to help save lives during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
"Too many women in Hawaii and too many women covered by UHA aren't getting the mammograms they need. Our records indicate that only 40% of our members who should have received a mammogram over the last two years are getting one, even though this critical preventive procedure is fully covered by all of our health plans," said Max Botticelli MD, UHA Chief Executive Officer.
During October, UHA will bolster the American Cancer Society's campaign to reach Hawaii women with the message that mammograms can save lives. UHA will devote its television advertising to urge women members to get a mammogram. Additionally, UHA will work with its statewide physician network to support doctors' efforts to have their patients get mammograms and will contact individual members whose records indicate that they have not received a mammogram in the past two years.
Research has shown early detection of breast cancer greatly increases the chance of survival. "Receiving regular mammograms is the single best thing a woman can do to reduce her chances of dying from breast cancer," Botticelli said. "Through this campaign with the American Cancer Society, we hope to make everyone aware that early detection through a mammogram is your best weapon for the fight against breast cancer."
Earlier this year, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that for the first time, the number of women getting mammograms nationwide has declined. The NCI also reports that Hawaii ranks in the middle of the 50 states in the percentage of women who have gotten a mammogram in the past two years. Native Hawaiian women have the highest breast cancer incidence and death rates in the state. The death rate for native Hawaiian women is almost 1.2 times that of Caucasian women, and more than 2 times the death rate for Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino women in Hawaii. Similar to national trends, the incidence of breast cancer in Hawaii has increased over the last two decades, most notably among Filipino and Japanese women.
The American Cancer Society screening guidelines for breast cancer recommend yearly mammograms for women 40 and older and clinical breast exams about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and older. Women with family history of breast cancer or genetic tendency or past breast cancer should talk to their doctor about starting screening earlier or having more frequent exams.
As part of its foundational focus on wellness and prevention, UHA offers full coverage for mammography in accordance with the American Cancer Society guidelines, with no co-payment or charge to the member. UHA also reimburses participating physicians $25 when screening mammography is completed in accordance with established guidelines.
Founded by a group of physicians in 1996, UHA is dedicated to providing access to quality health care services while protecting its members from financial loss due to illness or injury. UHA provides competitively priced medical, drug, and vision plans to more than 1,500 employers. With more than 40,000 members, UHA is the third-largest commercial health insurer in Hawaii.