The Program One Woman at a time is a cultural has as main objective

• Increase breast-screening services (Clinical Breast Examination-CBE and screening mammograms) among uninsured and under-served women, especially among African American and the Hispanic communities. 

• To provide health promotion and education to our uninsured women about issues such as nutrition, osteoporosis, breast and cervical cancer, HIV. They would also learn the importance of regular mammograms and pap-smears.  This 10 week educational program was developed to complement medical services provided to our patients. The program objectives are to educate, support and motivate women to take charge of their health, and use preventive services such as pap-smears and mammograms, especially among minority groups such as African American and Hispanics.    The program takes into consideration the cultural match between community health workers and patients. On 2006, Community Health Mission & NBLIC-III pilot the program and trained 14 health promoters, 6 of them cancer survivors, during a 3-day training program.   This program has successfully been implemented during the past 2 years.  Our program is a culturally appropriate that would best meet the needs of the target population.  Content of the program has been written at the 4th grade level in both Spanish and English Versions.

 

How are these goals are accomplished?

• Women seeking healthcare services at CHM are offered a full physical exam, a pap smear, a clinical breast examination (CBE), and a screening mammogram if 40 years of age, or if CBE is abnormal.  If the screening mammogram is abnormal, patient are given an appointment for a diagnostic mammogram at the Health Department or with one of our volunteer radiologist.  If patient’s diagnostic mammogram is abnormal, patient are schedule for an ultrasound with a core biopsy and possible surgery.

• All women women seeking care to CHM are encouraged to  participate in our Women’s Health Program.  The program are also implemented as an outreach program at several local churches (African American and Hispanic).  For this specific program we have developed a tool to evaluate knowledge and beliefs about preventive services such a pap-smears, mammograms, etc.  This survey is given to patients before they start the program and after. 

In 2007 CHM  provided comprenhensive medical services to 1, 949 uninsured women which included primary care and gynecological services.  In addition 350 mammograms were provided to women for those who qualify for an screening mammogram based on age or abnormal Clinical Breast Examination (CBE).  Of these 350 mammograms, 28% were abnormal which were referred for a diagnostic mammogram/biopsy and when applicable followed by a surgery/chemotherapy.  Diagnostic and treatment services were provided pro-bono by Memorial University Medical Center and St. Joseph’s/Candler Healthcare System.