Dr. Oluwadamilola “Lola” Fayanju, a prominent breast surgical oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, is spearheading efforts to address racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes. As the Helen O. Dickens Presidential Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery, Dr. Fayanju’s research focuses on identifying and mitigating factors that contribute to these disparities.
Recognizing that differences in treatment delivery and receipt account for approximately half of the racial disparities in breast cancer-associated mortality, Dr. Fayanju and her team have pinpointed modifiable factors that hinder timely care. These include logistical challenges such as transportation difficulties, which are associated with treatment delays among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
To combat these issues, Dr. Fayanju has launched a clinical trial testing a comprehensive, tech-enabled platform for collecting social and behavioral determinants of health (SBDOH) data from newly diagnosed breast cancer patients across the University of Pennsylvania’s health system. This innovative approach aims to identify individuals at risk for treatment delays and non-adherence, enabling targeted interventions to improve care delivery and ultimately close the disparities gap.
“We’re developing and validating the Breast Equity and Access Measure (BEAM) Index, a precise, cost-effective clinical tool to identify women at risk for treatment delay and non-adherence after breast cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Fayanju explained. This tool, combined with the SBDOH data, will facilitate early identification of at-risk patients and guide personalized interventions.
Dr. Fayanju’s work extends beyond clinical practice. As the Director of Health Equity Innovation at the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation, she is dedicated to promoting equity in breast cancer care, treatment, and clinical trial participation. Her research, supported by the National Institutes of Health, promises to reshape the landscape of breast cancer care and address long-standing racial disparities in patient outcomes.
Title: Oluwadamilola (Lola) Fayanju, MD (January 1, 2025)
