For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we need to help the underserved with more screening

From pink gloves and cleats on football fields to pink ribbons and pins on our jackets, it’s the unmistakable color we see during Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October, honoring survivors and remembering those we’ve lost to the disease. While we recognize the progress made in treating breast cancer, we know there are still hurdles to overcome.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, behind only skin cancer. Breast cancer accounts for roughly one-third of all new cancers in women each year. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 287,000 new cases diagnosed in women this year, and more than 43,000 deaths.

The rates are even more stark for people of color. For example, according to statistics from the American Cancer Society, black women have the highest death rate from breast cancer, have a higher chance of developing breast cancer before age 40, and, at every age, are the most likely to die from breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group.

Then there are the challenges facing people in our communities who lack resources for screening and care. As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to highlight options for those who are uninsured or underinsured for screening assistance.

The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation’s Yes, Mamm! program was created in 2012 and provides mammography screenings and diagnostic services, such as biopsies, to low-income, uninsured, underinsured, or medically underserved men and women. The program collaborates with a variety of nonprofit organizations and health care providers to identify individuals needing these services and receives referrals to the program. Approximately 10% of the patients referred for this program require a follow-up biopsy or diagnostic screening.

Since its inception, the program has helped with more than 3,000 screening mammograms, 700 diagnostic services and 500 ultrasounds for women who need assistance.

We are grateful for the support for our Yes, Mamm! program from individuals and organizations across Kentucky, including from the Lexington Cancer Foundation, the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program, Lexus of Lexington and many more supporters.

Each year, we hold a 5K race sponsored by RJ Corman Railroad Group in Nicholasville. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather to raise awareness, honor survivors and remember those lost to breast cancer. That race was held Oct. 15.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance to cover the costs of a mammogram or other diagnostic services, visit chisaintjosephhealth.org/yes-mamm.

By Leslie Smart, CFRE, is president of the CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations.