Programs introduced for early detection

Mammography technologist Dottie Scott positions a patient into mammogram equipment for a breast cancer screening. Breast cancer has made quite an impact among America's female population, claiming thousands of lives on a yearly basis along with being one of the leading cause of cancer related death among women in the United States.

But with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Upstate Carolina Medical Center (UCMC) in conjunction with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Cancer Association of Spartanburg & Cherokee counties (CASC) have introduced several programs with the sole purpose of detecting the disease before it becomes a major health issue.

"A lot of people do not want to talk about the subject because of the worst case scenario," Buffy Henson of the American Cancer Society said. "But this is a serious subject and we want to get them the information so they have the ability to combat the disease if it shows up in their body."

One of the programs, which is primarily being sponsored by CASC, will give 50 women the opportunity to receive a free breast screening and diagnostic mammograms.

"We are really excited to be doing this program, especially with the success we saw at an event earlier this year," Glaydeane Lee of the Cancer Association of Spartanburg & Cherokee counties said. "A program like this gives us the opportunity to reach those who are falling through the cracks."

Breast cancer has typically been found in women aged 40 and above, with family history also playing a role in who is at risk for the disease. With this in mind, the CASC has made sure that the women receiving these free services meet specific requirements, including that they are between the ages of 40 to 64, have no medical insurance, Medicare or Medicaid coverage and be a resident of Cherokee County.

Another program, aptly named the Best Chance Network, also focuses on helping women beat the odds against the deadly disease. The program is being sponsored by the ACS and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, also using specific guidelines before sending women through screening procedures.

"We want to send those most needing help who meet our guidelines through first so if their test comes back positive for breast cancer we can automatically get them lined up for treatment," Henson said.

UCMC is also making moves of its own with new technology making its way to the hospital. Within the next few weeks, digital mammography will be available at the facility, in addition other less invasive procedures.

"The new technology we are receiving gives us better views of dense breast tissue along with not having to use human judgment when going in for surgery," Dr. Maureen Burdett of Upstate Medical Center said. "It is safer, more efficient and less time consuming."

According to Burdett, 50 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer in Cherokee County in recent years, with 20 percent of them dying from the disease.

Even though the odds are not where they want them to be at this moment, Burdett says she believes early diagnosis can help boost this statistic in addition to easing worries about the disease.

"When most hear cancer, they think death and it does not have to be that way," Burdett said. "The earlier the cancer is found, the better off you are. Stage 1 of breast cancer has a 95 percent survival rate- a statistic that in more cases than none I would take."