Oct. 13, 2020
Early detection of breast cancer saves lives and that fact remains as we battle COVID-19. Parkland’s breast cancer health equity efforts to promote breast cancer screenings in vulnerable populations in Dallas County have shifted to include additional safety measures to keep our community healthy while continuing to deliver life-saving mammograms.
“We understand the very real concerns that our patients have about COVID-19 when visiting our mammography sites,” explained Lisa Smith, breast imaging center program director at Parkland. “To help alleviate those concerns, we are checking temperatures at the door, requiring masks be worn at all times, remaining distanced from each other and thoroughly sanitizing common and screening areas between every single patient visit.”
While the pandemic remains ever present, the urgent need to deliver mammograms in Dallas County continues, particularly in high-risk areas. In 2019, the Community Health Needs Assessment established that southeast Dallas has the highest cancer morbidity and mortality when compared to the rest of the county. Parkland is working to provide more access to screening mammograms in these areas to detect and treat cancer early.
“We are expanding breast health services into targeted high-risk areas by adding mammography units inside Parkland’s community health centers in addition to utilizing our mobile mammography vans,” said Smith. “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. If breast cancer is diagnosed in Stage 0, 1 or 2, patients have a 97% or better survival rate.”
All first-time mammography patients at Parkland receive a breast health consultation with a patient navigator during which they discuss the importance of annual mammograms and how to properly self-examine at home between screenings. This education is essential to detecting breast cancer early and Parkland is working diligently to spread the word with the support of our community.
Because of generous philanthropic support from our community, the Moody Center for Breast Health will open its doors in 2021, increasing Parkland’s breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment capacity on the Parkland hospital campus.
“This cause is near and dear to our supporters and it shows,” said Smith. “Donors are the reason we have been able to continue to expand our breast health services in the community and they are truly saving lives.”
Join Parkland as we continue expand access to screening mammograms and create breast health equity in Dallas by making a donation today at www.IStandforParkland.org/Mammography.