The Good Samaritan Breast Care Center was recently awarded a $39,450 grant from the Susan G. Komen Evansville Tri-State affiliate for their dedication to providing women in the community with early breast cancer detection and superior health care. This grant allows Good Samaritan to provide financial assistance for screening mammograms to patients in need.

The mission of the Susan G. Komen Foundation is “to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.” They do this by raising funds to help educate, financially assist, and encourage those whom are affected by breast cancer.

“The Breast Care Center is honored to be a recipient of the Susan G. Komen grant for the 2017-2018 grant years. We have been a recipient of this grant since 1999 and this has allowed us to help many patients with financial assistance over the years,” said Crystal Beadles, Good Samaritan Mammography Manager.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without normal control. It is a widespread and random disease, striking women and men of all ages and races. It is the most prevalent cancer in the world today, with about 1.3 million people diagnosed annually. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, and at this time, there is no cure.

But there is hope. Thanks to heightened awareness, early detection through screening, improved treatment methods and increased access to breast health services, people have a greater chance of survival than ever before. The latest breast cancer screening guidelines suggests women begin yearly mammograms by age 45 and every other year beginning at the age of 55.

“I encourage anyone who meets these guidelines to schedule a screening mammogram. If you think you can’t afford a mammogram, please see if you qualify for our financial assistance,” Beadles pleaded. “The grant screening process only takes a few minutes to complete and we can assist those who are uninsured or underinsured (high deductible). Please call the Breast Care Center at 812-885-3627 to see if you qualify.”

The Good Samaritan Breast Care Center is proud to offer the latest technology and techniques to screen for breast cancer, including 3-D mammography, breast specific gamma imaging, breast ultrasound, breast biopsy, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound guided biopsy, and needle localization.