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Breast Cancer... Breast Cancer... Breast Cancer... Breast Cancer...

Holy Cross Hospital Partners in Komen Florida Continues to Innovate

Breast Health Supports National in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month On Thursday, July 11, 2019, communi- Glades Region surrounding Lake

ty leaders, healthcare professionals and Okeechobee in May of 2019. With the
those dedicated to the fight against breast additional support of a Palm Beach
Since 2011, the Holy Cross Hospital’s Partners in cancer gathered for an exciting County family foundation and additional
Breast Health program has provided outreach educa- announcement in the advance of better grant funding, Komen is now growing
tion, clinical breast exams, screening mammograms outcomes for women fighting cancer the program to Palm Beach County in its
and diagnostic procedures to lower income and minor- across our community. entirety with no limitations based on
ity women ages 40 and older who lack access to Leading the efforts was Susan G. income, class or other factors.
healthcare services. The program also provides servic- Komen Florida who shared details on the “Every patient, every question, every
es to symptomatic women who are younger than 40. expansion of their Community Breast need will be addressed for residents of
Compared to the overall population, studies show Health Navigation program, which in its Palm Beach County who have either
that African American and Hispanic women are more first year reached over 2,000 women in received a breast cancer diagnosis or
likely to die from breast cancer due to lack of screen- Delray Beach alone. The expansion those who need more information on
ings and late-stage diagnoses. Partners in Breast Health includes stronger partnerships with screening,” shared Kate Watt, Susan G.
is designed to facilitate access to breast health care for Good Samaritan Medical Center, local Komen Florida Executive Director. “So
women who don't have other resources. healthcare professionals, safety net non- many women don’t know where to turn,
Since the program began, more than 5,000 women profits and Komen Florida’s team to con- how to ask for help, or even which doc-
have been served and more than 50 percent of patients tinue the fight against the disease that tors to see.
diagnosed with breast cancer have been under the age of BY KIM SAISWICK affects 1 in 8 women. Komen has consistently led the way in
50, exceeding national statistical data. With the goal to Komen Florida launched the the fight against breast cancer, including
reduce late stage breast diagnosis, the program also sets Community-Based Breast Health pioneering this unique community-
out to decrease death in minority populations and provide 1,000 screening mammo- Navigator Pilot Program in May of 2018 based model to break through barriers,
grams annually to uninsured individuals living at or below 250 percent of the fed- to provide education and patient naviga- increase early detection and help women
eral poverty level. tion services to primarily African connect to life-saving services.
In an effort to increase access to the program, Holy Cross’s Mobile Health Unit vis- American women. Since the program’s Our vision has been laser focused and
its underserved communities in central and northern Broward County that have the inception in Delray Beach, Fla., it has we are ahead of plans to expand our nav-
highest percentage of poor-quality health indicators. Onboard, a physician or an reached over 2,000 women and has seen igation services to cover the state. We
advanced practice registered nurse provides one-to-one education, a general health incredible success in outcomes. work tirelessly to be a model for the
assessment, clinical breast exams and mammogram prescriptions for women age 40 The navigation program’s effectiveness nation as the world’s largest breast cancer
and older. Follow-up is provided to assist patients with any additional diagnostics, in terms of people reached and potential organization with resources second to
treatment and special needs. lives saved has been so successful that none. We will not stop until we have
At the Dorothy Mangurian Comprehensive Women's Center at Holy Cross Komen Florida attracted new funding helped everyone in need and put an end
HealthPlex, located at 1000 N.E. 56th St. in Fort Lauderdale, Partners in Breast and announced expansion to the rural to this awful disease.”
Health clients receive education, screenings and diagnostics. In addition to the
Mobile Health Unit, referrals to the program also come from community outreach
events, partner organizations and most often from other friends and family members
who have accessed the program.
Partners in Breast Health is made possible by generous funding from the Harry T.
Mangurian, Jr. Foundation, Women Owning Wellness (a committee of the Holy
Cross Hospital Auxiliary), 1000+ Club, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and numerous
private donors.

Kim Saiswick, Vice President, Community Health & Well-Being, Holy Cross Hospital,
can be reached at kim.saiswick@holy-cross.com.
For more information, visit Holy-Cross.com/Partners-Breast-Health.

Good Samaritan Medical Center’s

Breast Institute Now Offering

Same Day Mammography

Results for Patients

As way to take the stress and anxiety out of waiting, Good Samaritan Medical
Center’s Breast Institute is now offering same day mammography results for patients
who undergo a mammogram.
“Women have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer at some time in
their lifetime. Having this new option will give women the peace of mind not to worry
about their results, or take the proper steps to get treatment as soon as possible.”, said
Good Samaritan Medical Center chief executive officer, Tara McCoy. "The Breast
Institute at Good Samaritan is a signature service of our hospital that continues to
implement new ways to enhance the lives of our patients.
As part of a comprehensive approach to cancer care, the Good Samaritan Breast
Institute is a full-service breast cancer screening and treatment facility within Good
Samaritan Medical Center. The Breast Institute offers low-dose screening and diag-
nostic mammography, breast cancer surgery, stereotactic biopsy, ultrasound, CT scan-
ning, PET-CT, bone densitometry and support groups for newly diagnosed breast can-
cer patients or patients with advanced breast cancer.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com October 2019 19