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Doctors at The Methodist Hospital Women’s Center have noticed something troubling — reminders are getting mailed out as usual, but some patients who should be coming in for yearly mammograms are not.
"With today’s economy and chance that many women or their husbands have lost jobs, a lot less women have insurance," Lillian Stern, the center’s director, said.
And considering the increasingly high prevalence of breast cancer — Stern said she makes about one to three diagnoses a day — the center at 2301 S. Broad St. decided to do something about it.
Methodist is offering free mammograms tomorrow to women over 40 who don’t have insurance. If necessary, Stern said any additional imaging, such as ultrasounds, also is being offered free of charge. In the unfortunate case cancer is detected and a woman needs a biopsy, she will be referred to the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization at 260 S. Broad St. that provides patient assistance. Appointments may be made by calling 215-952-9169.
At press time, slots were still available. Walk-ins will not be seen, but nurses will schedule appointments for other dates if Friday fills up, Methodist spokeswoman Diane Pirollo said. The Women’s Center also is offering free DEXA scans, which measure bone density to test for osteoporosis.
According to the Linda Creed foundation, which also sponsors a free screening day each spring, one in seven women are diagnosed with breast cancer and, nationally, more than 210,000 were made in 2006. As our population ages and technology becomes more advanced, Stern said, such statistics continue to rise.
Nanci Sumner knows how important it is not to skip a yearly exam. The Methodist patient from the 1500 block of South Clarion Street went in for a checkup in September that changed — and saved — her life.
Sumner was diagnosed with the disease early enough that she was able to fight it, but her daily routine as a clerk for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Child Support Enforcement turned into one of radiation treatments and checkups. Sumner said she’ll be on medication for the rest of her life.
The 54-year-old is legally blind and has already dealt with a life of hospital visits and multiple surgeries, but being diagnosed with breast cancer was tough, she said.
Listening to Neil Diamond and crocheting "cancer caps" she hopes to share with fellow patients going through the same ordeal, helped ease the pain and stress.
Now Sumner walks five miles a day to train for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s 60-mile race in October. Sumner must raise at least $2,300, which go towards breast cancer research and education.
"I’m walking for people who have breast cancer," Sumner said, "but I’m also walking for those who don’t have it and will keep getting mammograms and hopefully never have to deal with it."
