In an effort to get more women screened for their mammogram, the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure awarded WCA Hospital a $47,329 grant to maximize mammography participation by reaching out to women who have canceled, missed or are overdue for their mammogram screening and links them to appropriate resources to get screened.
The adapted strategies of the program are taken from the National Cancer Institute's Research-tested Intervention Program, "Maximizing Mammography Participation.''
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.
"The purpose of our breast health education and navigation program is to offer the best protection from breast cancer mortality for women in Southern Chautauqua County by maximizing screening mammogram participation," said Toni DeAngelo, WCA Hospital community health and wellness director and grant coordinator. "The program also educates women on the importance of good breast health practices that will decrease the risk of breast cancer through mammography screening."
Studies show that timely screening can prevent a substantial number of deaths from breast cancer. For a variety of reasons, many women do not schedule their mammogram as often as they should, according to Dorothy Carlson, trained program navigation telephone counselor, who reaches out to women and encourages them to get screened.
"The number of missed appointments can be quite high," she said. "We understand that women's lives are very busy and for whatever reason, they are unable to schedule or keep their appointment. Our intention is to reach out to women by giving them a gentle reminder about the importance of mammogram screening and help them access breast health services by linking them to appropriate resources to get screened."
The Komen grant also helps women overcome barriers to breast care that may keep them from getting their mammogram screening.
"If women need transportation, insurance, a physician order, or any other barrier to breast care, we help them overcome these barriers so they can access mammogram screenings without delay," Mrs. DeAngelo said.
For women who are unable to pay for a mammogram, WCA Hospital connects them to available programs that help defray medical costs.
"There has been a decline in women getting screened because they may be unemployed or uninsured," Mrs. DeAngelo said. "Fortunately, the Chautauqua County Cancer Services Program can help women get screened by providing low cost or no-cost mammograms if they meet eligibility requirements."
Designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the Center For Imaging & Medical Arts at WCA Hospital, provides same day mammogram results and has expanded its health and wellness program with the addition of a nurse specialist who is specially trained to coordinate the clinical, educational and supportive needs of consumers who are scheduled for breast health services at the Center For Imaging. The WCA Center For Imaging is open from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers Saturday hours from 7 to 11:30 a.m.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is dedicated to education and research about causes, treatment, and the search for a cure for breast cancer. The Komen Western New York Affiliate is part of the 125-affiliate network of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever.
For more information about the Maximizing Mammography Participation grant at WCA Hospital, contact Dorothy Carlson at 664-8619. Women, who are uninsured, may contact the Chautauqua County Partners for Prevention for a free mammogram screening at 800-506-9185.
No comments:
Post a Comment