MEDIA RELEASE
From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein
Date March 7, 2014
CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov
Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925
Department of Health Receives Grant from Komen WNY Affiliate Will Increase Access to Breast Cancer Screening in Erie County
ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® has awarded a $67,500 grant to Erie County Department of Health to support the Erie County Cancer Services Program.
The grant from Susan G. Komen will provide funding for women living in Erie County, who qualify for low or no cost breast screening or treatment services. Komen WNY will also support a new financial assistance program for patients in active treatment for breast cancer.
“Regular mammograms are the best test health care providers have to find breast cancer early. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer” states Erie County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein. “All women should have regular mammograms when they reach 50 years of age, and should continue to do soon on a regular basis for the rest of their lives. There is no reason not to be screened for breast cancer” said Burstein. “This funding from the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® provides key financial support to the Erie County Cancer Services program.”
Mammograms are available to help all women, regardless of their insurance status, get access to breast cancer screenings and treatments that can help save lives. Women that have mammograms as recommended on a regular basis can identify a potential problem at an earlier stage when treatment is most effective and a cure is possible.
In 2013, the Erie County Cancer Services Program provided mammograms for 1,264 uninsured or underinsured women. Uninsured populations are the least likely to maintain a regular cancer screening schedule and thus have poorer outcomes in general.
“We are very proud to support this program,” said Komen Executive Director, Juliana Janson. “We know from past experience, that the supplemental funding from Komen helps women who would not otherwise be eligible for free or low cost screenings, to access care when they need it most.”
About Susan G. Komen® and the Komen WNY Affiliate
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $800 million in research and provided more than $1.6 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit komenwny.org or call 877-GO-KOMEN. Connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/komenwny and Twitter @komewny.
For more information:
- Erie County Department of Health – www.erie.gov/health
- Erie County Cancer Services Program -- www.cspwny.org
- New York State Department of Health -- http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/breast/screening_and_prevention.htm
- National Cancer Institute -- http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/mammograms
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