MammoVan Serves Women in Need in Rural Areas
Mammography Technician, Heather Buie
Our recent field visit took us deep in the Arkansas delta, to the small town of Rison, where the weather was cold and blustery. On that day, Rison was scheduled to host The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) mobile mammogram van, and the fact that even with the inclement weather, their schedule was full is directly attributable to the tireless efforts of a dedicated alliance – one with the shared objective of saving lives.
The Breast Cancer Relief Foundation (TBCRF) and the UAMS / Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Center are both committed to addressing the high incidence of breast cancer in underserved counties of Arkansas. With more than double the national average for detected breast cancers, the need in these counties is clearly critical. In response to this disturbing reality, UAMS has instituted an ambitious plan of service and outreach by utilizing their beautifully designed, new digital mammogram van, known popularly as their MammoVan. With the help of past and present funding assistance from TBCRF, a talented team of technicians, doctors, and volunteers work overtime to offer mammography screenings to poor and at-risk women throughout their state.
The UAMS MammoVan has become a lifeline in Arkansas. Twenty-six counties in Arkansas have no FDA-approved mammography facilities. Most of these counties are poor and rural, and many obstacles converge to derail the possibility of early detection of breast cancer. No insurance, low income, lack of transportation to other counties for screening, and the inability to take time off from a job to travel, have been major hurdles in the past. The MammoVan now provides free screenings to these underserved rural women – right in their own community.
A model of efficiency, the program has been fine-tuned for optimal results. Volunteers, such as LaPrisha Bennett, begin the process by raising awareness and publicizing well in advance the arrival date of the mammogram van. She canvases her assigned area speaking to women’s groups, hanging notices throughout the community, contacting employers and health care professionals, and arranging radio announcements. This is a crucial first step and instrumental for success.
Early each morning, the van arrives in the designated community. Mammography technician, Heather Buie, and clinical technician, Shannon Strickland, are ready to go. Together they see up to 30 women a day. In total, since the program began in February 2010, over 3000 women have received mammograms! There have been 20 diagnoses of breast cancer and nine high-risk lesions detected. Many of these women have never been screened before and would very likely have gone without. Now, with repeat visits yearly, they are able to benefit from the same medical advances that many of us take for granted.
Meriel, one of the first patients to arrive, works at a dry cleaning store – a job that she and her husband rely heavily on for economic survival. Today, after her screening, she was all smiles. She explained that paying for a mammogram out-of-pocket would be impossible, so she was thrilled at the ease of today’s experience: “It’s very impressive. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to get screened – and right here in Rison! I never thought it could be so easy and everybody was so nice. Thank you for making this possible!”
Ruby’s last screening was over ten years ago. Her husband has had heart disease and can no longer work as a millwright. Their fixed monthly income barely gets them by. Because of past scares with benign lumps, Ruby has been advised to have yearly mammograms. With no insurance, their income couldn’t begin to cover the costs for her needed screenings. Years passed, and she worried. Finally, today, she is here – receiving a free mammogram, elated with the knowledge that she will be able to return each year. Relieved, Ruby states, “It’s great because lots of people can’t go away to find screening. [The van] going out to all the small towns is really good because many people like me don’t know they can get help.”
An important aspect of the MammoVan’s process and success lies in the integration of these women and their families into the health care system. The staff works hard to ensure a thorough experience, navigating patients through any and all follow-up procedures if necessary. Additionally, it is a real hope that this program will help patients and their families to establish an ongoing relationship with their community health center where they can receive continued assistance and guidance with their general health care needs.
We are extremely proud to partner with UAMS and their MammoVan to serve women in need in Arkansas. Thanks to the strong support of our donors, this is only one of the many mammogram vans that TBCRF grant funding helps make possible across the United States. From small rural clinics near the Texas / Mexico border, to large metropolitan hospitals like Dana-Farber in Boston and MD Anderson in Houston, our goal is to give women of all incomes and backgrounds an equal opportunity to prevent, detect, and conquer breast cancer. We are honored to partner with the UAMS / Rockefeller Cancer Center to help fill the huge gap in breast cancer screening in Arkansas.
Cory Leigh Taylor, Director of Development for Cancer Initiatives at the hospital states, “The Breast Cancer Relief Foundation was one of the first organizations ‘on board’ with our digital mobile mammography program. Early on, you believed in our mission and helped us to achieve this incredible outreach program. Your support gave a much-needed boost of confidence to all team members and helped instill confidence to make it happen.”
Without the past and future contributions of our generous individual donors, these valuable programs would cease. We are grateful to our supporters for the opportunity to carry out our mission.
