Grant to provide testings for free: Plate fees finance mammograms for local women

License plate fees will again help finance screening mammograms at Schneck Medical Center.

The Seymour hospital has received a grant from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust to provide free screening mammograms to low- and middle-income women in the communities it serves.

Proceeds from Indiana’s breast cancer awareness license plates fund the grants.

A mammogram is one of the best tools for the early detection of breast cancer and life-saving early detection, health care providers say.

“We know early detection of breast cancer is key, and our Women’s Diagnostic Imaging program can help save the lives of women who otherwise would not be able to have a mammogram,” diagnostics director Rita Baker said.

Sally Acton of Schneck Cancer Center agreed.

“In any cancer, but especially breast cancer, the earlier you catch it the better your chance of being cured,” Acton said.

Screening mammograms are one tool among several that all women should employ in the fight against breast cancer, Acton said.

“In my experience, I’ve seen women where they’ve found their breast cancer by feeling it themselves or when looking in the mirror they’ve seen dimpling,” Acton said. “But often they’ll show up on the mammogram that you can’t feel.

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