Brooklyn doctor makes it her mission to lower breast cancer disparities

A Brooklyn doctor is on a mission to lower breast cancer disparities, while making her patients feel comforted and join in the fight.

News 12 Staff

Oct 19, 2020, 12:11 PM

Updated 1,447 days ago

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A Brooklyn doctor is on a mission to lower breast cancer disparities, while making her patients feel comforted and join in the fight.
Dr. Vivian Bea, who specializes in breast cancer care at New York--Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, is looking to answer why there are disparities in cancer care and diagnosis.
“In America, we know that while African American women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, they are unfortunately 40% more likely to die from a breast cancer diagnoses. It should really hit us all to sort of step back and think about why,” says Dr. Bea.
Dr. Bea is on a mission to educate the community, going into churches, holding extended hours so people can get mammograms after work, setting up virtual sessions to address fear and having patients like Tracy Tomer, of Brooklyn, share her story.
Tomer tells News 12 she was always afraid of getting a mammogram until one night.
"I felt something which really woke me up, completely awake,” says Tomer.
She made an appointment and after getting her breast cancer diagnosis, and was connected with Dr. Bea for treatment.
Tracy, who is now doing radiation, got close with the staff even making them masks.
It is a doctor patient-bond like this that Dr. Bea says is needed, as well as brave women like Tomer.
“I am grateful that she is sharing her story in hopes that she can encourage all women to get their annual mammogram” says Dr. Bea.