Cancer in a Forgotten Corner of California

Imperial County is a rural farming community tucked into the southeast corner of the state along the border with Mexico. According to the 2008 Imperial County Health Status report, the incidence rate of cancer in Imperial County has been consistently lower than state-wide rates. Additionally, the mortality rate is more on par with state-wide numbers, and higher for some specific occurrences. The California Department of Public Health's California Cancer Registry echoes these numbers. Is this simply a matter of screening, and if so, what are those barriers to screening (cultural, economic, accessibility?). Or are there specific cancers more prevalent in the area, and if so, what are the causes?

Read about the projects of other 2014 California Health Journalism Fellows.

As a 2014 California Health Journalism Fellow, I'd like to explore the rate and world of cancer in this community that faces numerous health and socioeconomic challenges. I plan to focus on the incidence and mortality rate of cancer in the community; the work of Imperial County's Cancer Resource Center of the Desert; the work of the support group Amigos de Alejandro; and the role of cross-border cancer treatment.

There are a pair of cancer support centers in Imperial County I'd like to take a closer look at. According to its website, Imperial County's Cancer Resource Center of the Desert (CRCD) is the “only non-profit community-based organization providing cancer Patient Navigation to persons in the Imperial Valley community.” Amigos de Alejandro is a nonprofit that supports children with cancer and their families. This includes food vouchers, gas cards, support groups, information, field trips, education and more.

And what is the role of cross-border cancer treatment in the Imperial County? According to the Imperial Valley Press, the Cancer Resource Center of the Desert completed a study that “explored the use of bi-national utilization of health care by 52 Hispanic women with breast cancer in the Imperial County.” Why do some patients seek treatment across the border, is it cheaper, what's the quality of care, what are the stats? There may be some ACA issues, as in, will greater access to insurance in California lead to some people electing to seek treatment north of the border when they would otherwise head south.