Amount will Cover Costs of 3D Mammography
Representatives from the national Susan G. Komen Foundation presented Marshfield Clinic a $24,975 check today toward the Marshfield Clinic’s mobile 3D mammography screening, a program supported entirely through grants and donations.
The amount will cover the costs of a 3D mammography for 330 patients and is a valuable source of funding as some insurance companies do not pay for 3D screening, which provides a more thorough imaging that aids in breast cancer detection.
The team was also presented with pink capes that stated “I am more than pink.”
“You are our superheros. We say more than pink because we’re not just a race. We’re not just a pink ribbon that we’re giving out,” said Gloria Singleton-Young, Mission Manager.
Mobile mammogram units are important resources for communities with a shortage of healthcare resources, particularly in rural areas, and for employees who find it difficult to take the time to schedule screening appointments. The mobile unit erases these barriers.
The three mobile units have traveled to 70 out of 72 Wisconsin counties, stopping at public places and businesses and treats 7,000 a year. In 2016, breast cancer was discovered in 26 patients out of 5,785 that were seen in the mobile units. Currently 1 out of 3 units has the 3D screening technology installed so far.
3D mammography takes multiple pictures to create a 3D model and is more thorough than a regular mammogram at finding evidence of cancer inside of breast tissue. “Now we can offer this to a larger majority of patients that maybe wouldn’t have had it otherwise,” said Dr. Kristie Guite, radiologist.
More information about breast cancer screening and resources can be found at the foundation’s website, ww5.komen.org.
