HORANalytics Databyte: Breast Cancer

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Awareness Matters Take Action with Your Employees to Improve Outcomes

early detection saves lives

At HORAN, our mission is to help employers provide a better quality of life for employees and their families. This mission drives our investment in the HORAN financial analyst think tank. The think tank leverages the power of HORANalytics®, the team’s ability to analyze claims data to guide clients and drive action. Recently, HORAN’s financial analysts worked with clients showing the value of preventive screenings especially in the area of breast cancer claims. HORAN is able to demonstrate the importance of mammogram screenings in an effort to better employees’ quality of life and improve health plans.

To underscore the financial analysts’ efforts, HORAN conducted a panel interview with individuals representing three critical roles in mammography screenings: an employer who embraced early detection—Yvette Walker at The Gorilla Glue Company; a health care provider—Karen Amaya and Lauren Ferris at ProScan Pink Ribbon Centers; and a survivor—Carolyn Mefford at HORAN. Our goal in sharing this article with you is to prove that awareness matters.

Q: Why did Gorilla Glue decide to make preventive mammograms part of your wellness initiatives?

Q: What information do you share with employees about organizations that are available for emotional support?

YVETTE WALKER (YW): Initially we wanted employees to have access to care. We knew an onsite mammography van would provide the ease of access and encourage our employees to get their preventive screenings. I have been with the organization for three years, and there have been three breast cancers discovered at our TriHealth mammography van screenings. I will always have the van come onsite for our employees.

YW: ProScan Pink Ribbon Center representatives attend our annual health fair. They provide materials and information to our employees. Additionally, our Worklife Matters Employee Assistance Program provides emotional support resources to our employees.

Q: What feedback have you received from employees?

Employees are excited not to have to take time off work to have their preventive screenings done. Participation rates have Lorem ipsum Lorem ipsum been good. In 2017, 32% of our female population over 40 years of age participated (13.4% of our male and female population over 40).

YW:

WOMEN OVER 40

32%

Q: Does Gorilla Glue do anything additional to support breast cancer awareness?

YW: We hosted our first ever Zumba for a Cause this year.

Every Wednesday in October participating employees participated in Zumba for one hour. Our campaign raised $735 in employee donations which Gorilla Glue matched WOMEN for a total&ofMEN $1,470. These OVER funds were40 donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

13%

Employee Donations

Gorilla Glue Match

=$100 $1,470 donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Q: When did you start getting mammograms?

CAROLYN MEFFORD (CM): I’ve been getting mammograms since I was 30.

My employer paid for a mammogram van to come to my workplace. Interestingly enough, when I was 35, my OBGYN told me since I wasn’t 40 yet mammograms weren’t necessary.

I explained a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer through a mammogram at 30 years old, the service is an employee benefit, so why wouldn’t I do the screening?

Q: What led to your breast cancer diagnosis?

CM: On December 23, 2009, a follow up letter arrived after my routine mammogram stating calcifications were found and to follow up with my doctor.

It is then when I found a lump and made an appointment to see my GYN. The doctor suggested repeating the mammogram in six months.

I insisted on further testing, so he recommended an ultrasound.

The ultrasound showed a dark spot. A Breast MRI followed which clearly showed a tumor.

A biopsy of the tumor determined cancer.

Q: What steps did you take following your diagnosis?

CM: I talked with friends and almost everyone knew someone with breast cancer. I received recommendations for doctors, pursued three surgical opinions and decided on a surgeon. From there, an oncologist and radiologist were appointed. It took two surgeries to ensure complete removal of the tumor. After a brief healing period, radiation

treatments followed with many doctor visits.

Because of early detection and type of breast cancer, I escaped chemo. In February 2015, five years after surgery, I was deemed cancer free and a survivor!

Q: What advice would you share with people reading this article?

CM: You have to do self-breast exams, mammograms and, if your situation is such, Breast MRI. If diagnosed with cancer, I suggest someone go to doctor appointments with you for support and as another set of ears. Because of the emotional rollercoaster, the brain can have difficulty absorbing new terminology and information. A support person can help fill in the gaps.

Q: What are the advancements in technology you have seen recently in breast imaging?

LAUREN FERRIS (LF): The newest technology in breast imaging we are offering is tomosynthesis which is a 3D mammogram. It provides more clarity, especially in a dense breasted woman. The Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund developed the Breast MRI program to allow women with dense breasts to get additional necessary screening. Utilizing a Breast MRI in a screening capacity is a huge benefit to women with dense breasts and those with a family history of breast cancer.

KAREN AMAYA (KA): We are in the final development stages of a Breast Health Risk Assessment Program which will provide patients their risk score for developing breast cancer as well as what the recommended actions are for future course of care (e.g. genetic testing). The risk score and recommendations will be stored in our Breast Health Patient Portal which will also include patient images and reports. This information will be accessible to patients and allow them to have informed conversations with their doctors which will lead to more comprehensive care.

Q: What are your recommendations for screening guidelines?

LF: We follow the American College of

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I have been with the organization for three years and there have been three breast cancers discovered at our TriHealth mammography van screenings. I will always have the van come onsite for our employees.

-Yvette Walker, Sr. Benefits Manager at The Gorilla Glue Company Radiology guidelines for frequency of screening which recommends a baseline screening between the ages of 35 and 40 and an annual mammogram once a year after 40.

Q: What programs do you have in place to promote early detection and support for women who are newly diagnosed?

LF: Mammogram Match provides mammograms and other breast health services at no charge to eligible patients (at or below 250% of the Federal poverty guidelines.) Pink Ribbon Breast MRI Program was established to provide screening Breast MRI at no charge to patients with dense breasts as determined by their mammogram and who meet the program requirements. Pink Ribbon Bags are sent to breast cancer patients to help them along their healing journey. These are filled with educational and motivational books for the healing journey, a support resource list, a soft blanket for chemotherapy and to surround one with love, and additional hand selected comfort items to provide support during the treatment period. To date, the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund has provided over 4,500 complimentary bags to newly diagnosed women across the nation.

Do you know how preventive screenings are impacting your health plan?

Call 800.544.8306 to schedule a deep dive into your data with HORANalytics®.

Breast Cancer Services & Support

How You Can Help Your Employees Below are services you can offer to employees to promote early detection and ways you can support women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

ON-SITE SCREENINGS Bring a mobile mammography van to your office location(s). Most health care systems provide mammogram vans, and the scheduling process is simple. Contact your provider of choice to determine their scheduling requirements, availability and associated costs.

OFF-SITE SCREENINGS OHIO INDIANA

KENTUCKY

The following link is a map containing regional mammography screening sites. Share the following link with your employees to make it easy for them to find sites nearby: http://bit.ly/ScreeningLocations

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS Provide emotional support to employees and their spouses who are undergoing treatment by sharing counseling resources, creating a survivorship support group and referring them to your Employee Assistance Program if available.

GET INVOLVED JOIN THE FIGHT

Visit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (www.bcrf.org) or Susan G. Komen (ww5.komen.org) to learn how your organization can join the fight against breast cancer.

For more information on how you can support breast cancer awareness and promote early detection with your employees, contact a HORAN representative at 800.544.8306.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

DAYTON

COLUMBUS

KENTUCKY

4990 East Galbraith Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 513.745.0707 800.544.8306

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www.horanassoc.com