Mammograms in the Community
In addition to building the new comprehensive breast center, expanding access to life-saving screenings is critical to create equity in breast health for everyone in Dallas County.
The Facts
- As the population of women age 40 and over in Dallas County is expected to increase 12 percent over the next five years, more women will need access to mammograms to be screened for breast cancer
- Experts project a 13.2% increase in breast cancer cases in Dallas County over the next five years
- Early detection of breast cancer saves lives
The Reality
As the only public health system in Dallas County, Parkland currently treats 20 percent of all breast cancer cases in the county and provides breast health services for 44,000 patients each year. Those cared for at Parkland are racially and ethnically diverse, often younger and diagnosed at later stages in their disease than national and regional norms. Most are uninsured or underinsured and rely on Parkland for care and treatment. Parkland also has twice the national average of patients with Stage 3 and Stage 4 breast cancer.
The Solution
Expanding breast health services will add mammography units inside Parkland’s community health centers in targeted high-risk areas, providing additional opportunities for screenings in the community allowing us to detect and treat breast cancer earlier.
Population projections show that the largest increases in females age 40+ will be in Southeast, Northwest and outer Northeast Dallas. By offering screening mammograms to patients in their health center close to home, we can help remove some of the barriers that stand between them and the care they need.
You Can Help!
Your donation will help us detect and treat breast cancer earlier to provide our patients the best chance of survival.
Make a Gift to Support Mammograms in the Community
Additional Information
In October 2020, Parkland supporters gathered online to learn more about breast health services. Click below to access the recording and slides from the event.