Strategies for reaching poor blacks and hispanics in Dade County, Florida.

A need to reach poor blacks and Hispanics in Dade County, Florida, with information about the prevention and early detection of cancer was documented in data from the Florida Cancer Data System for 1981 through 1983. This information was brought to the target population through community media, churches, and agencies serving the poor. Guidelines for productive presentations evolved during the 4-year experience. A significant portion of the community was recruited for mammograms. A significant change to in situ and local stage of disease occurred among the screened group as compared to an unscreened cohort treated at the same facility. An estimated savings of about $9700 in treatment costs per cancer found has shown that mammography of the poor community saves money as well as lives. The establishment of a One-Stop Breast Diagnostic Center compliments the screening program and removes many barriers in reaching the goal of early cancer detection among the poor.