« All NewsLMC Receives Grant from Susan G. Komen Foundation
Posted by: Jennifer Wilson, Public Relations Manager | April 25, 2011
West Columbia, S.C. – Lexington Medical Center has received a significant grant from the new SC Mountains to Midlands affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to provide breast cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women in the Midlands. The grant totals $40,000, which will provide approximately 250 screenings at no cost to the patients.
Lexington Medical Center will begin offering the screenings to women who meet specific financial requirements. The grant money will also pay for transportation for the women to Women’s Imaging centers in the Lexington Medical Center network of care.
“This important grant will allow us to meet a need we’ve never been able to meet before,” said Kelly Jeffcoat, Lexington Medical Center breast cancer nurse navigator.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 20% of Lexington County residents do not have health insurance. With the economic downturn and rise in unemployment, the need for assistance providing access to important screenings for breast cancer is more important than ever.
The goal is to diagnose women early. Clinicians know that early detection is key to successful treatment of breast cancer.
“The biggest problem with patients who are uninsured is that by the time they’re screened, it’s too late,” said Chris Gibson, Lexington Medical Center oncology social worker. “With these screenings, we have the potential to catch breast cancer in Stage 1, where there is a 98% cure rate.”
Lexington Medical Center diagnoses approximately 250 breast cancer patients each year. The hospital’s breast program is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and the American College of Radiology (ACR). Lexington Medical Center has four Women’s Imaging centers and a digital mobile mammography van. During treatment, breast cancer patients receive the assistance of two nurse navigators who provide education and emotional support.
For more information about the grant screenings, including eligibility requirements, call 803-791-2521.
Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a county-wide health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 5,200 health care professionals. The network also includes the largest extended care facility in the Carolinas, two occupational health centers and more than 40 physician practices. At its heart is the 414-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center won "Best Hospital" by readers of The State for ten years in a row, "Best Hospital" by readers of the Free Times, "Best Place to Have a Baby" by readers of Palmetto Parent, the "Consumer Choice Award" from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious "Summit Award" from Press Ganey.
