The Southeast Utah Health Department wanted to share some statistics about breast cancer and talk about their Women’s Health Care programs. Castle Country Radio was able to sit down with Public Health Nurse, Kami Olson to get all the details.
“Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States. In Utah it’s the leading cause of cancer death in women. Yearly mammography are the best way to reduce breast cancer and is a critical screening tool for detection. Doing your own self-exams is also, but it does not always find the lumps or masses,” said Olson. Utah is among 3 lowest states for mammograms. It’s very important that women understand that early detection is key.
The best place to go for health services is your regular health care provider. However, if you do not have one, the Utah Cancer Control Program provides other options for some screening exams. One of the programs that can assist women between the ages of 40-64 is the Women’s Cancer Screening. “It does have qualifying things, it goes by income, those in your household, uninsured – even if you have insurance because not all insurance will cover it. You just come in; we’ll fill it out. It will pay for your mammogram and if things are found, there are other programs to help, if you don’t have insurance,” said Olson. A new program that is now being implemented is Be Wise: Women’s Lifestyle Coaching for women ages 50 to 64. These services are an extension of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening program. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Women who are mid-to-low income, underinsured or uninsured may qualify.
With October known as Breast Cancer Awareness month and Southeast Utah Health Department will be hosting an opportunity drawing for any women who qualify for the Women’s Cancer Screening program. “We have a gift basket that has all kinds of stuff in it. If you qualify and do the screenings, we’re going to put everybody in the drawing for the raffle and at the end of October we will give that away,” explained Olson.
To learn more about Women’s Health Care programs please visit the Southeast Utah Health Department website at https://www.seuhealth.com/ or call them at (435) 637-3671.