Franciscan Physicians Offering Free Mammograms

Franciscan Physicians Hospital received $6,750 from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) to provide 100 free screening mammograms for underinsured and uninsured area women. Screenings are done at the Franciscan Hammond Clinic Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster.


Franciscan Hammond Clinic Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave., Munster

The grant, which will not cover the entire cost of the mammography screening, is available Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2012. Financial assistance will be provided by Franciscan Physicians Hospital to supplement the cost of the mammograms.

The hospital currently provides roughly 5,100 mammograms per year and is partnering with Franciscan Hammond Clinic to identify women who would not otherwise be able to afford a screening.

Participants will complete a survey that indicates possible barriers to testing, such as financial, education, social and cultural, among others. The information is integrated into the program planning to refine the process for overcoming barriers.

The project, developed by IBCAT, the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, aims to identify and resolve potential and actual barriers for women attempting to obtain regular screenings. Franciscan Physicians Hospital will assist by providing more than 500 women education on breast cancer through multiple educational offerings throughout 2012.

Dr. Cynthia Sanders, vice president of medical affairs at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, states, ”Both organizations are honored to be recipients of this grant. We plan to make it go a long way toward ensuring that this very important, life-saving service is available to women who might otherwise be unable to have the studies done.”


Mammography Screening Machine

For more information about health events and screenings, contact Franciscan Hammond Clinic at (219) 836-5800.

About Breast Cancer

More than 39,000 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer. According to the Susan G. Komen foundation, death rates have been decreasing since 1990 due to treatment advances, detection through screening and increased awareness. According to A.D.A.M. Total Health, roughly 12% of women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.