Improving the Longevity and Quality of Life for Women: A Breast Cancer Screening Project
Deborah C. Williamson, DHA, CNM
Awarded: $26,911
Abstract Summary: This proposal expands the "Mamma and Me" initiative previously funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to rural communities in ten South Carolina counties (Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Berkley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, and Jasper). This project incorporates a public awareness/education campaign and breast cancer screening on a mobile van in a framework that emphasizes existing female support systems. This project establishes collaborative relationships between public and voluntary agencies in the targeted counties to provide the infrastructure for breast health education, the recruitment of women for mammography screening on a mobile van, and assistance with transportation on mammography screening days. The target population is African-American and Hispanic women who are residents of rural communities and are uninsured or underinsured. This project addresses access barriers to recommended mammography screening - lack of funding, language/cultural barriers, and a lack of transportation.
Circle and Cross
Susan E. Surratt, RN, MSN, CS-FNP
Awarded: $20,345
Abstract Summary: Georgetown Hospital System, in collaboration with Smith Medical Clinic at Baskerville Ministries is pleased to announce the Circle and Cross program, a project to assist the under/uninsured women of Georgetown County. This program, partially funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is open to all women who need baseline mammograms, or annual screenings and have no means of securing the image due to lack of insurance or self-pay funding. The Komen Foundation has targeted Georgetown County with a needs assessment and determined that screenings are needed, as well as comprehensive educational programs regarding breast cancer. We invite you to contact the Smith Medical Clinic at (843) 237-2672 to determine if you qualify for this program.
Keeping the Promise: An Up Close Look at Breast Cancer Prevention, Detection & Treatment
Loretta Mouzon
Awarded: $75,000
Abstract Summary: Keeping the Promise: An Up Close Look at Breast Cancer Prevention, Detection & Treatment is a collaborative project between Community Health Partners of the Lowcountry (CHPL), the Department of Health and Environmental Control-Trident Public Health District (DHEC), WCBD-TV, the Center for Women, the Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) and the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing. The project expands the Breast Cancer: For Us/By Us Project (BC: FU/BU) funded 2003-04 by the Lowcountry Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"Keeping the Promise…" is a combination of media campaign, mammogram screenings, education and awareness. The BC: FU/BU commercials created to raise awareness about breast cancer among African-American women will continue to air. Also, the collaborative partners will sponsor a half-day conference on advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. This conference will target women who are at risk for breast cancer, those going through treatment and survivors of the disease and feature renowned specialists. WCBD will promote and cover four "mammogram marathons" and in collaboration with the partners will produce a documentary sharing the stories of some of the participants - from mammogram to treatment, where warranted, excerpts from the conference, oncologists, and survivors.
Women's Health Matters
Barbara Patterson, Outreach Coordinator
Awarded: $45,000
Abstract Summary: "Women's Health Matters" is a program that provides free clinical breast exams and mammograms for eligible low-income women who live in Beaufort County. It targets African-American, Caucasian and Latino women between the ages of 40 and 64 who live at, or below, 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines and have no health insurance that covers breast cancer screening and detection. The mission of the program is to increase access to mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women in Beaufort County and raise awareness about the importance of early detection thus reducing breast cancer mortality rates.
Allendale Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Project
David C. Hayden
Awarded: $21,869.64
Abstract Summary: This project will accomplish a number of things which will help influence women, especially African-American women, to practice breast-healthy behaviors. A group of lay trainers/teachers will be identified in local churches and trained by the staff of LCHCS to teach others how to perform breast self-exams. Breast exam models will be purchased and available to these lay trainers/teachers for use in their classes. Low Country Health Care System will also extend its hours of operation by 2.5 hours each Tuesday and Thursday evening for the convenience of patients who have difficulty seeing a provider during regular operating hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). The transportation van that LCHCS provides free-of-charge to its patients will also be available during these extended hours. Another component of this project is that funds will be available to assist those without the local newspaper about the need for and increased availability of preventive and diagnostic breast cancer screenings and exams. And lastly, Breast Cancer awareness will also be the topic to "HouseCalls" a minimum of two times during the year. This radio call-in show is hosted by LCHCS's medical director, Dr. Eddie Richardson and airs every Friday morning at 11 a.m.
The Cancer Navigator Program
Debbie Jerrigan, RN, MSN
Awarded: $45,000
Abstract Summary: The Cancer Navigator Program is a unique project that provides personalized assistance to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, who are uninsured or underinsured. The Navigator will coordinate diagnoses and treatment services to help these patients through the often confusing maze of specialists, testing sites, and therapy centers with which they are confronted. By providing comprehensive care at the onset of diagnosis, we hope to improve the patients' decision-making and coping skills, recover periods, and overall well-being.
The program will offer cancer education through print/media material and one-on-one informational and counseling sessions. In addition, this funding will provide free dietary supplements and free prosthetic supplies to assist indigent breast cancer patients with side effects associated with their various forms of treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation). A community breast cancer resource booklet will be published to educate women with breast cancer in our service area about the various social services and resources available to them. But most of all, the Susan G. Komen Foundation grant will enhance patients' quality of life as they go through the difficult physical and overwhelming emotional challenges that are associated with breast cancer disease.
Breast Cancer Education Clinical Services
Valerie Muehlman, MS, RD, CDE
Awarded: $45,000
Abstract Summary: About 18,000 women are between the ages of 40, when periodic mammography is recommended to begin, and age 64, after which Medicare covers the expense of routine screening. An estimated 18 percent of Lowcountry women, who would benefit from mammography, some 4,000 women, are uninsured or have inadequate insurance coverage. The proposed program consists of community outreach, education and direct subsidy of mammograms for women aged 40 to 64 who live at, or below, 200 percent of poverty. The program will also cover the cost of additional diagnostic tests, required by roughly ten percent of women undergoing mammography. We anticipate discovering one to two cases of breast cancer in the first year of operation. The goal of the program is to provide community outreach, education and direct subsidy of mammograms for women aged 40 - 64 who will receive education materials and counseling through outreach programs for breast cancer awareness and early screening. 1,500 women of the target population will be referred and receive clinical breast examinations at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. clinics. 400 women from the clinical breast examination group will receive a mammogram.
Think Pink
Rebecca L. Hejl, RT RM
Awarded: $5069.50
Abstract Summary: The Regional Medical Center has been selected as a recipient for a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This grant provides funding for working women with no insurance, ages 35 - 46, to have a free mammogram. This will also provide for the radiologist's fee and diagnostic workup if needed. If you are a women, age 35 - 46, currently employed but with no health insurance and feel you would qualify for these services, please call Rebecca L. Hejl, lead mammographer at The Regional Medical Center (803) 533-2368.
