St. John Health
Breast Care
Monday, September 28, 2009

Media Contact: Brian Taylor, (586) 753-0726

The St. John Health Breast Care Program is the recipient of a $100,000 Susan B. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure 2009 grant.

Funds will be used for the “Because We Care” program, which will provide breast screenings in Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland Counties to approximately 500 women under age 40 who have been identified by their physician as being at high risk for developing breast cancer, and who are uninsured or underinsured.

“There are increasing rates of younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15 to 34,” according to Cheryl Wesen, M.D., medical director of the SJH Breast Care Program. “This program is a unique initiative that fulfills a vital need in the community.”

More than 30 St. John Health System physicians will participate in the program by identifying qualifying participants and providing referrals to one of SJHS's seven digital mammography centers in the tri-county area.

“Thanks to the Susan B. Komen grant, we can now offer screening to those younger women who are identified as high risk and need screening earlier and who can’t afford their mammograms,” says Linda Dubay, M.D., medical director, Surgical Services, Providence Park Hospital in Novi.

The St. John Health Breast Program plans to begin the “Because We Care” program in October, and will notify all referring physicians of the start-up and ongoing progress of the program. Women who think they may qualify should make contact with their St. John Health System primary care physician for a referral or call SJHS at 1-866-501-DOCS.

St. John Health Breast Care is a leader in cancer care in Southeastern Michigan. St. John Health Breast Care offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient cancer care services from research and diagnosis to treatment, including surgery, radiation and medical oncology, pain management, education and support groups.

Back