Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and can appear in women whose only risk factors are age and sex. Annual mammograms are an important tool when it comes to long-term breast health but many women, especially those from marginalized communities, can find a visit to the doctor daunting – particularly financially.
The Northwest Indiana Breast Care Center at Methodist Hospitals helps to alleviate this monetary burden through the Bears Care grant, a grant awarded by the Chicago Bears’ charitable arm to the Breast Care Center that allows the center to screen qualifying patients free of charge.
“We call it No Woman Left Behind because it’s a very comprehensive program,” Jennifer Sanders, Breast Care Center manager, said. “We cover screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, and/or biopsies, the pathology fees, and the radiologist reading fees.”
The Breast Care Center has been awarded a grant from Bears Care every year since 2013, providing a fund that qualified Region residents can tap into to help cover the cost of breast care services. Since first receiving the grant, the Breast Care Center has screened 1,300+ patients and identified 26 cancers that otherwise would have lingered undiagnosed.
Sanders hopes to see these numbers continue to grow thanks to the Breast Care Center’s efforts to remove patient barriers to healthcare.
“We usually see anywhere from 100 to 140 women a year, and we're hoping to increase that number even more,” she said. “Lake County only has a 52% screening rate for women having mammograms; Porter County only has a 57% screening rate. We are trying to break those barriers and have women in these counties recognize that there are funds in place for them to have their annual mammograms.”
As financial hurdles are removed from receiving care, early detection of breast cancer is more likely, as are the chances of survival.
“The Bears Care grant is vital for all women who are uninsured or underinsured because we don't believe that a lack of income or insurance should preclude women from getting their annual screening mammograms,” Physician and Radiologist Dr. Anastasia Siatras said. “That grant was established so that we can support this patient population. We never want finances to be a reason for women not getting this very important screening exam every year.”
Finding out if you qualify for financial help with the Bears Care grant is as easy as making a phone call. Those interested in learning more about qualification can call 219-981-5440.
The money received from the Bears Care grant is being used every year by women throughout the Region, which is exactly what the team at the Breast Care Center wants to see.
“I'm glad that the word is getting out that these resources are available,” Siatras said. “We want women to put themselves first at least once a year in order to get their mammograms done. Any woman we can get to come in for their screening mammograms is a win for us and a win for them.”
For patients making use of the No Woman Left Behind program who are diagnosed with breast cancer, the Breast Care Center makes every effort to make the treatment journey as easy as possible. This includes providing transportation as needed to and from treatment as well as an incredibly experienced, caring staff ready to guide patients.
“We have a very compassionate center that is here to help,” Sanders said. “We have women in our department who have actually been diagnosed with breast cancer, and they bring that experience with them to the center. We're a very kind, compassionate group of women who want to bring that kindness and compassion to patients who come to our center.”
Eliminating the cost of screenings is a huge step toward creating a healthy, happy population, but Sanders stresses the need for patients to make their appointments. Early detection can be the difference between catching breast cancer at stage 0 instead of when it’s too late.
“You need to actually make these phone calls and actually get this test done, regardless of your financial capabilities,” she said. “Please do not make finances a reason for not having this test done. When you do go for your mammogram, see if your closest family and friends are up to date on their mammograms and maybe bring them with you. There are women out there doing that with their family and friends, and they're saving each other's lives.”
Call (219) 981-5440 to see if you qualify for financial assistance under the No Woman Left Behind program.
To learn more about scheduling an appointment with the Northwest Indiana Breast Care Center at Methodist Hospitals, visit its website.
