News Media Home | Hopkins Medicine Home
November 1994
Media Contact:Karin Twilde
Phone: (410) 955-1287
E-mail:
KTwilde@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness
Month by providing free breast cancer screening to low-income and uninsured
women.
Through a Maryland Health Resources Cost Review Commission (HSCRC)
grant obtained in 1992, the Center provides clinical breast exams, instruction
on
breast self-examination, mammography, and prevention counseling to women in
East Baltimore.
More than 1,000 women have been screened, and approximately 15 cancers
detected. This year, using the theme of Once is Not Enough, the Center outreach
staff, led by Barbara Ashley, R.N., is encouraging those screened in prior
years to
return for follow-up care. "We have seen women in their sixties who have never
had a mammogram because they can't afford one. We want to see these women,
and any women who are not getting appropriate care due to financial reasons,
once a
year, so that if they do develop breast cancer, we can detect it in the
earliest and
most curable stage," says Ashley, clinical nurse coordinator.
She is offering food coupons and free lunch as an incentive to come back for
follow-up care in the month of October. Ashley has enlisted the help of the
Julie
Center, a community center at Washington and Fayette Streets, whose volunteers,
known as neighborhood health providers, are visible on street corners, in
grocery stores and throughout East Baltimore neighborhoods, handing out
literature about the screening program and scheduling appointments for women.
"On several occasions, our volunteers have personally brought women to the
Center who were reluctant to come alone. They are amazing. We could never do it
without them," says Ashley.
Approximately 182,000 American women are diagnosed each year with breast
cancer. In Maryland, which has one of the highest incidence rates in the United
States, 3,500 women learned last year that they had breast cancer. When
detected in its early stage, breast cancer can be cured as often as 90 percent
of the time. Once the cancer has spread beyond the breast, however, it is
frequently fatal.
Women in East Baltimore have a much higher rate of death from breast cancer
than women in surrounding areas. Ashley and other experts believe that one
reason for these grim statistics is lack of access to the medical system
because of their inability to pay. "The goal of our program is to change these
statistics by making breast cancer screening available to these women," says
Ashley.
The Hopkins program is one of several throughout the state
funded by the HSCRC. Any low-income women, 40 years or older, can take
advantage of the program. The grant covers all costs incurred, including
biopsy. Women who need additional therapy are eligible for a treatment fund
through the State of Maryland.
For more information about the program,
income criteria or to schedule an appointment, call (410) 955-4792.