United Health Foundation Pledges $2.5 Million to Support Breast Cancer Screenings for Michigan Residents
October 15 2020 - 11:15AM
Business Wire
Three-year partnership with the Michigan
Primary Care Association will establish pilot program for breast
cancer genetic testing and screening
The United Health Foundation has committed $2.5 million to the
Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) to support increased
breast cancer screening and genetic testing for high-risk women,
men and their families. The partnership will establish a breast
cancer genetic testing and screening pilot program at five Michigan
community health centers to increase patient education and testing
rates, and enhance transitions of care through improved technology,
community partnerships and data analysis.
The three-year partnership will support staff training across
the pilot sites, provide access to genetic counselors and care
managers and enable partnerships with health systems to implement
referrals and tracking of newly diagnosed patients.
“One of the most crucial things we can do to prevent and treat
breast cancer is raise awareness and expand access to health care,
cancer screenings and genetic testing,” said Michigan Governor
Gretchen Whitmer. “This partnership will make an enormous
difference for Michiganders everywhere who have a history of cancer
in their families. I am grateful to the United Health Foundation
for its generous support and partnership with the Michigan Primary
Care Association. I will continue to work closely with everyone who
wants to protect and expand access to health care in our
state.”
“Genetic testing in combination with genetic counselors and care
managers has proven successful in the early detection and
prevention of breast cancer,” said Dennis Mouras, chief executive
officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan – Michigan. “Together with
the Michigan Primary Care Association, we can help provide
increased access to testing and screening to detect breast cancer
earlier for better health outcomes.”
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women has a
chance of developing breast cancer in the United States. Michigan
is expected to have more than 8,800 new cases of breast cancer and
more than 1,380 deaths from the disease this year.
“Annual screenings and routine preventive care are crucial to
finding and diagnosing conditions including breast cancer,” said
Dennis Litos, interim chief executive officer, Michigan Primary
Care Association. “We thank the United Health Foundation for its
generous support in ensuring our community health centers can
screen additional patients and save lives across Michigan.”
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many elective
procedures were placed on hold, including cancer screenings. A
study published recently in “Breast Cancer Research and Treatment”
found 44% of respondents said they experienced delays in care, with
the leading type of postponement being routine or follow-up clinic
appointments.
“Many routine and annual screening appointments have been
delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chief Medical
Executive and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “As we observe Breast
Cancer Awareness Month in October, it’s important to remember that
while we must take precautions to stay safe amid the COVID-19
pandemic, it’s also crucial we seek important medical care and
regular screenings that can detect cancer before symptoms
appear.”
About UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is a diversified health care
company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and
helping to make the health system work better for everyone.
UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services
through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides
health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which
provides information and technology-enabled health services. For
more information, visit UnitedHealth Group at
www.unitedhealthgroup.com or follow @UnitedHealthGrp on
Twitter.
About Michigan Primary Care Association
MPCA is the voice of community health centers that provide
primary and preventive health care to more than 709,000 patients in
rural and urban communities across Michigan. MPCA advocates to
influence and advance health policy in Lansing and Washington,
D.C., and offers operational support and training to health centers
to enhance the delivery of integrated care inclusive of primary
care, dental, vision and behavioral health. MPCA’s goal is to get
ALL people in Michigan the proper health care they need. For more
information, please visit www.mpca.net.
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Media Contact: Tony Marusic, UnitedHealthcare (312)
348-3825 tony_marusic@uhc.com
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