Upstate’s She Matters program has available appointments for mammograms Breast cancer remains a public health issue with over 266,000 new cases and over 40,000 deaths annually in the US. Effective screening does not reach all women equally, especially lower socio-economic women of color, who are most at risk of having a late stage breast cancer diagnosis. More awareness of the risks, more education, and more screening is needed.
She Matters is a community outreach program of the Upstate Cancer Center that educates women on the importance of breast cancer screenings. She Matters is made up of Resident Health Advocates (RHAs), trained by Upstate Cancer Center professionals, that go into the community they live in and encourage/help women to schedule a mammogram.
The RHAs provide support by going to appointments and staying in the waiting room until the mammogram is completed. RHAs also make annual phone calls to remind patients of their upcoming appointment. Through the She Matters program, more than 500 women have had a mammogram and more than 1,500 women have been reached through educational communication about breast cancer All women over age 40 can get a mammogram at no cost. With insurance the She Matters team can schedule you for an appointment at 550 Harrison Women’s Imaging Center or with the Upstate Mammogram Van. If they do not have insurance, the team can connect them with the county to apply for a free mammogram. Mammograms save lives by finding breast cancer when a lump is too small to feel. When found early there is a 93% chance of survival.
Most women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease. If you are younger than 40 years of age, ask your doctor for more information about your risk. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Rachel Ryan at (315) 484-4237 or ryanra@upstate.edu. Friend us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/she.matters.77
