Local Voices
Neighborhood Health Plan and YWCA Boston Partner to Improve Breast Health Awareness
For the fifth year in a row,Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) and YWCA Boston partnered to raise awareness about the importance of regular mammography screenings at their annual Breast Health Phone-a-thon. Volunteers from NHP and YW Boston placed hundreds of calls to women in greater Boston on November 12 to inform them about the importance of mammography screenings as a critical tool in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Callers provided breast health education and helped to arrange appointments for women between the ages of 50 and 74 who had not received a mammogram for two or more years. The volunteers connected women with creative community resources like Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Mammography Van that visits different community health centers throughout Boston. A Dana-Farber employee, who was diagnosed with breast cancer following a Mammography Van screening in 2011, shared her personal story with callers to emphasize the importance of regular screenings. This year, Dana-Farber volunteers were onsite to schedule appointments at health centers or hospitals conveniently located near every woman called.
“Raising awareness about breast health cannot be accomplished by a single organization alone. We are proud to partner with YW Boston to reach so many women through our Breast Health Phone-a-thon,” said Deborah C. Enos, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan. “Together, we are helping women overcome fears and misinformation about mammograms by bringing education and prevention efforts directly to the communities and populations most in need.”
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Although progress has been made in the advancement of breast health, the American Cancer Society reports that 12% of women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer and nearly 40,000 women will die this year from the disease.
“Breast cancer can affect anyone, but it still takes a disproportionate toll on minority communities,” said YW Boston President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Ferrell-Jones. “Through our partnership with NHP, we are working to ensure that all women talk to their doctors and learn about the benefits of mammography screenings.”
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In the five years since the Breast Health Phone-a-Thon began, NHP and YW Boston volunteers have placed over 2,000 calls and reached more than 800 women, encouraging them to speak with their doctors about the right time to start getting annual mammograms. The Breast Health Phone-a-thon and other public health campaigns are part of NHP and YW Boston’s efforts to eliminate health disparities by expanding access to high-quality and affordable health care directly in the communities of those they serve.
About YW Boston
YW Boston, America’s first YWCA, is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The 147 year-old institution is increasing social, racial, and gender equity by working to improve access to better health, make neighborhoods safer for everyone, and close the educational achievement gap. For more information, check us out on the Web, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Neighborhood Health Plan