Oct. 3--In this struggling economy, more women may find themselves making a difficult choice: Get the preventive health care that could be lifesaving or buy groceries for the family.
When uninsured or underinsured people are forced to decide between getting timely preventive care and paying for immediate basic needs, the basic needs usually win, according to local health care professionals.
In light of that grim reality and with October recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Schuylkill Health -- the system that includes Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street, Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and the other facilities/services within that setup -- is offering reduced-cost digital mammogram screenings at three locations, including both Schuylkill Medical Centers and the Women's Imaging Center along Red Horse Lane in Pottsville.
"When money is tight, people tend to put off getting the preventive care they need, which would include screenings for different kinds of cancer, such as mammograms," said Deb Herb, community education coordinator for Schuykill Medical Center. "For some women, it's a choice between taking care of their health or putting food on the table or heating their home. Hopefully, we can help make it easier for those women out there who are struggling to afford a mammogram, and in the process, save lives."
A mammogram can generally cost $265 or more, plus a physician's fee; but now, with a general practitioner's referral, women can receive a mammogram for $65 this month, Herb said.
Although the American Cancer Society estimates that one in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in life, some women still do not get regular mammograms to screen for the early stages of the disease.
A study by the American Cancer Society found that many women below poverty level or without health insurance don't get tested annually.
But money isn't the only reason some women don't get regular mammograms.
Laura Fulmer, a mammography technician with Schuylkill Health, said women postpone screenings for a variety reasons.
"Fear is a big one reason that we hear from women -- they're afraid it's going to be painful or uncomfortable," she said. "Some women say they don't have the time. There's a lot of reasons that women avoid it ..."
What Schuylkill Health is trying to do with the reduced-cost screenings is "make it easier for women to get the care they need," Fulmer said.
Schuykill Health has extended hours at certain sites, according to Fulmer.
"We're open as early as 7:30 a.m. and as late as 6:30 p.m. at some of our sites," she said.
The exam also takes less time -- about 10 to 15 minutes -- using the medical center's new digital mammography system.
And there's less discomfort, according to Beth A. Thomas, supervisor of radiology services.
In 2005, the hospital introduced full-field digital mammography, computer-aided detection and enhanced stereotactic breast biopsy to its diagnostic services.
To be eligible for the reduced-fee screening, participants must be at least 40 years old, have had no mammogram in the past year, not be pregnant or nursing and have a physician's order for the mammogram.
"We're providing this service so that all women can afford to have a yearly mammogram, regardless if they have health insurance or not," Thomas said.
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