National Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening at Marshall ...

NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR BREAST CANCERSCREENING AT MARSHALL MEDICAL CENTEREach year, Marshall Medical Center is responsible for reporting outcomes related topatient care. This particular report discusses outcomes related to the national guidelinesfor breast cancer screening and diagnosis through the National Comprehensive CancerNetwork (NCCN).The NCCN guidelines recommend annual clinical exams and screening mammograms forwomen 40 years and older, so by providing access to annual screening mammogramsthrough our No-Cost Mammogram Program, we play a huge role in making sure theNCCN guidelines for breast cancer screening are followed by every woman, both insuredand uninsured.In 2012, Marshall Medical Center’s cancer program offered free mammograms to eligiblewomen in El Dorado County through programs such as CDP: EWC and grant fundsgenerously awarded to us through Susan G. Komen and Marshall Foundation.Also, by providing a number of diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds, we are able toprovide women with access to a pathway towards diagnosis of any suspicious lumps orlesions. Without these funds, women with little to no insurance may end up with latediagnosis of breast cancer, which can seriously impact their chances of survival.HOW DO WOMEN QUALIFY FOR FREE MAMMOGRAMS?Women are screened first to see if their insurance covers their mammogram. If it doesn’t,or they are uninsured, they are screened for eligibility to CDP: EWC, which is a state-runprogram with strict income and age requirements. If women do not qualify for thisprogram, they are either covered by Susan G. Komen or Marshall Foundation funds,depending on how many funds are available.We have a set number of mammograms available through our Susan G. Komen grant.This grant cycle, from April 1, 2012 – March 30, 2013, we have 50 screeningmammograms, 15 diagnostic mammograms, and 15 ultrasounds. If we run out of anygiven one of these, we can use Janet Nacthman funds through Marshall Foundation.

HOW MANY MAMMOGRAMS ARE OFFERED?From April 1 to November 30, 2012, 106 women called our office regarding theprogram, all of which were screened to see which program they qualified for.Here is a breakdown of how many women qualified for each program:o 46 CDP:EWCo 50 Komeno 5 Marshall Foundation (Janet Nachtman)o 5 OtherSome women were covered by other programs/funds. These included those who wishedto be cash pay, where they were given a fifty-percent discount for paying the day of theirservice. Others didn’t realize that their insurance company covered the full-cost of theirmammogram, and were able to get help that way. There were also a few that were able toget help through various other programs, including a financial aid program ran byMarshall Hospital. As of November 30, 2012, we have used the following number of Susan G.Komen funded mammograms:o Screening: 37/50o Diagnostic: 13/15o Ultrasounds: 15/15Susan G. Komen Mammograms 2012-201360Total Number Available5040302010# MammogramsRemaining# Mammograms Used0Screening Diagnostic UltrasoundType of Mammogram

WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?Of all the women covered this grant cycle through Susan G. Komen funds, four have hadsuspicious findings that needed to be biopsied, and one of those four women wasdiagnosed with breast cancer. Had it not been for our No-Cost Mammogram program,designed for women who do not meet the eligibility requirements for CDP:EWC andother programs for free mammograms, this woman could have either found her breastcancer at a later stage or not at all. This is a scary thought, and it is why we have thisprogram. By providing women with access to free mammograms, we can greatly reducethe number of late-stage breast cancer diagnosis and provide these women with a greaterchance of survival.HOW CAN WE IMPROVE THE PROGRAM?There are close to 100,000 women in El Dorado County, many of which could beuninsured, or underinsured, and in need of a mammogram. We have provided freemammograms to only a small portion of this number. By increasing awareness ofMarshall Medical Center’s cancer program (Marshall Cancer Resource Center) and itsservices, including the No-Cost Mammogram Program, we can potentially help morewomen in our community. There are a variety of ways that we have, in the past, increasedawareness. Some examples include hosting breast Cancer Awareness events and byutilizing social media, such as Facebook. Below is a suggested plan of action to increaseawareness to the Cancer Resource Center and its programs.Suggested Action Plan for 2013:o Increase frequency of advertisements for the mammogram programthrough local newspapers, such as the Mountain Democrat, GeorgetownGazette, and Zoom.o Increase frequency of advertisements on Marshall Medical Center’sFacebook page to monthly or bi-monthly.o Increase distribution of bi-monthly Cancer Services newsletter called “TheCancer Project” to all clinics throughout Marshall Medical Center.o Attend medical staff meetings on a regular basis and distribute informationabout programs and services available at the Cancer Resource Center.o Send email reminders regarding the mammogram program to schedulingand marketing on a frequent basis.o Continue annual Breast Cancer Awareness events.For more information, please call (530) 672-7050.