Are you aware?

Every October, breast cancer awareness is top of mind for many of us nationwide. We wear pink, raise money and educate others about this important topic. As we close another breast cancer awareness month, I thought now would be a good time to make sure you’re aware of the services we offer to prevent and treat this disease.

To help with prevention and early detection, many of our hospitals offer mammography services. Some of our facilities offer advanced technology like 3-D mammography and automated breast ultrasound technology (ABUS) to help radiologists more accurately diagnose breast cancer. Through our Breast Risk Management Program, we also offer genetic counseling for people who are worried about their inherited risk.

Many studies have uncovered racial and economic disparities in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. In fact, a 2014 Avon Foundation for Women study found African-American women in Memphis are more than twice as likely to die from breast cancer as Caucasian women, although more Caucasian women are diagnosed with breast cancer.

We are helping to reduce this disparity through the Baptist Women’s Health Center mobile mammography van, which brings this lifesaving service to people who have limited access to it. The Baptist Women’s Health Center also hired Venecia Harris, a breast cancer disparity coordinator, to handle breast health education and ensure the mobile mammography unit visits medically underserved areas. Thanks to grants from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, we provide reduced-cost mammograms in metro-Memphis and throughout our Mississippi service area.

We offer a wealth of treatment options for breast cancer patients, including advanced surgical procedures like radioactive seed localization. We also bring chemotherapy to underserved communities through some of our Baptist Cancer Centers and our Baptist Cancer Center physicians’ offices.

We are blessed to have a passionate, dedicated team of cancer experts who provide these services with skill and compassion. They make our cancer program great.

Do you have questions or comments about our breast cancer services? Share them with me by email, on Twitter @jason_m_little, or on LinkedIn.