“The money that we received from the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Northern Indiana Affiliate actually goes to assist women at IU Health Starke and our LifePlex facility with diagnostic vouchers. These vouchers are available for women who are of lower income, they are uninsured and they’re 40 or older. In some cases, they may not have to be 40 if their physician says that they meet American Cancer Society high-risk status,” said Sarver.
Sarver said the importance of mammograms cannot be overstated as these tests can save lives when performed as recommended. She said early detection is the best defense in the fight against breast cancer.
“Mammograms are extremely important, because this is actually going to assist in detecting possible cancer. So, early detection is the best protection in a sense, so we want to make sure women are getting their mammograms starting at 40. If they are at high-risk because of a family history, they want to speak with their physician and see if they should be getting screened earlier than that because we want to make sure that these women are being detected early and the cancer can be caught and treated before it gets too far,” Sarver explained.
Through $10,000 in funding from Komen, the La Porte Hospital Foundation Breast Cancer Project will assist low-income, uninsured women ages 40 and older, and women of any age who are at high risk for breast cancer, receive screening or diagnostic mammography services through a physician’s referral. This project will also provide education for women in early detection practices, including breast self-awareness and the benefits of clinical breast exams.
Individuals should contact her physician’s office or the Imaging Department at IU Health Starke Hospital at (574) 772-1143 to see if she qualifies for a free screening or diagnostic mammogram voucher.
