Cay Hill:--- During the month of October 100 free mammograms will be given to patients who need one and are not insured for it. St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation have reinforced their efforts this year to include the provision of these free mammograms.
"An important part of the breast cancer awareness campaign is to encourage persons to get checked. Mammography is a screening method to detect breast cancer. Early detection is the best prevention and by providing free mammograms we make this essential diagnostic tool more accessible", dr. George Scot chairman of the Board of Directors at SMMC states.
SMMC will sponsor 50% of the mammogram costs and Positive Foundation together with Elektralyets Foundation takes care of the other 50% via sponsorship. The mammograms will be offered via participating physicians.
"This year again, a large group of family physicians are participating in providing free clinical screenings during the month of October. If the physician determines that a mammogram is necessary and the patient is not insured for it, the physician can provide a voucher in order for the patient to receive the mammogram at SMMC," Shelly Alphonso of the Positive Foundation states.
The patient will have to call the SMMC to make an appointment at the radiology department and bring the reference letter of the physician together with the voucher at the day of the appointment.
"We fully support the initiative of the Positive Foundation and Elektralyets Foundation to reduce the stigma surrounding breast cancer." Juliëtte Hassell HR/Communications Manager of SMMC says. "To help educate the general public we are also organizing an Open House at the Hospital on October 19, 2011 from 11:00am till 3:00pm. During the open house we will provide information about the symptoms of breast cancer, the general treatments options and the treatment options at SMMC. There will be fun stuff too."
"Shifting the stage at which the breast cancer tumor is detected to an earlier moment can be the difference between the disease being treatable or not. We are encouraging the general public to really use the opportunity that is being offered and go for a free clinical screening by one of the participating clinics" Elektra of the Elektralyets Foundation says.
The participating clinics are:
