PSA Campaign to focus on missed mammograms during COVID-19 pandemic, Central PA event to offer free 3D screenings
PENNSYLVANIA – The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) is proud to partner with Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-39) and WellSpan Health in encouraging all Pennsylvania women to schedule annual mammograms that could save their lives. Studies show that nearly 60 percent of women missed their mammograms at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to delayed breast cancer diagnoses. When breast cancer is detected at its earliest stage, the 5-year survival rate is 99 percent.
“Thousands of women missed mammograms last year. Some of those women are living with breast cancer right now and they don’t know it. Scheduling your mammogram is the only answer,” said PBCC President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy. “By working with Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward and WellSpan Health, we can reach so many more women with the message that early detection saves lives.”
Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward recently finished her own breast cancer treatment and is now dedicated to educating other women on the importance of regular mammograms.
“For the first time in 36 years, my mammogram was late. I made sure to reschedule it and that’s when I found out I had breast cancer,” said Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward. “I am proud to partner with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition to share, first-hand, the importance of scheduling your mammogram. Together, we are working to ensure that all Pennsylvania women have affordable access to breast cancer screenings that could save their lives. Let’s get screened, Pennsylvania!”
As part of the statewide initiative, WellSpan Health will host a mobile mammography event Tuesday, October 26 at the WellSpan OB/GYN located at 2050 South Queen Street in York, PA. All 3D screening mammograms will be offered at no cost to women for this event only through a partnership with the PBCC.
“The WellSpan mobile mammography coach makes it simpler to get this important preventive screening that can save lives, said Roxanna Gapstur Ph.D., R.N., president and chief executive officer, WellSpan Health. “The motor coach is fully staffed with WellSpan medical professionals who can complete each private, 3D mammogram screening in less than 15 minutes.”
To schedule a mammogram appointment for the Tuesday, October 26 event, please call 717-GoMammo or 717-466-2666. Visit WellSpan.org/GoMammo for more information.
Links to the 30 and 60 second PSAs – Early Detection Saves Lives
:30 General PSA- Breast Cancer Awareness Early Detection Saves Lives
https://vimeo.com/607438001/f1f034984b
:60 General PSA – Breast Cancer Awareness Early Detection Saves Lives
https://vimeo.com/611758833/cc084a91ff
Link to October 18th event at the PA Capitol:
https://pasen.wistia.com/medias/kaxzwyf0ej
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)3 organization that represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters don’t have to. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org.