Pink Impact Breast Care At MSU

April 19, 2016

SUSAN G. KOMEN MICHIGAN AFFILIATE GRANT CONNECTS LOCAL PATIENTS TO CARE

 

 

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University College of Nursing has been funded $75,000 by the Susan G. Komen Michigan Affiliate. Continuing MSU’s tradition of partnering with Komen to provide access to care, Pink Impact: Breast Care at MSU will offer essential screening and diagnostic breast care services to men and women who cannot afford life-saving services due to high deductibles and copays. In addition, a breast health education program will be held for breast cancer survivors, their families, and those at risk. 

In partnership with the College of Human Medicine through the Department of Radiology, imaging services will be provided for patients with an income of up to 350% above the poverty level. For a family of four, that would equate to $84,875 per year.

Nurse practitioner, Mary Smania, DNP, FNP-BC, AGN-BC, is passionate about increasing access to breast cancer screening and diagnostics. Smania specializes in breast health and has been a leading provider of breast care services in the Greater Lansing Community for 11 years. In addition, Smania is a certified Advanced Genetics Nurse, specializing in assessing an individual’s risk of a genetic mutation along with coordination of testing for genetic mutations. Smania will provide patients with a comprehensive clinical breast exam and conduct a health history assessment.

"No one should have to choose between caring for their family or caring for themselves when diagnosed with breast cancer."

Mary Smania, DNP, FNP-BC, AGN-BC

Smania has provided breast services to underserved individuals through five Susan G. Komen grants. “Thanks to Komen, we have cared for 129 new patients, provided 279 diagnostic tests, and given 123 follow-up appointments to patients who would otherwise not have access to care,” stated Smania. “The burden of a breast cancer diagnoses is not only frightening – it is also a significant financial burden on families. No one should have to choose between caring for their family or caring for themselves when diagnosed with breast cancer.”

This grant will reduce the barriers to timely and complete access to the continuum of care by providing comprehensive breast care in two areas:

BREAST SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTICS

First, provide breast screening and diagnostics. Breast health services include clinical evaluation, clinical breast exams, mammography, breast ultrasound, needle biopsy, pathology of the biopsy specimen, and breast MRI as clinically applicable. Assistance with travel is available to participants who demonstrate need. In addition, lymphedema treatment can be challenging for survivors with out-of-pocket costs associated with lymphedema sleeves and bandages. Therefore, the grant will provide those essential items to participants who demonstrate need.

SPARTAN SURVIVORSHIP SYMPOSIUM

Secondly, offer a Spartan Survivorship Symposium focusing on education and support with topics relevant for breast cancer survivors and those at risk. The program will focus on social and emotional well-being, wellness programs, and lifestyle intervention strategies such as cooking demonstrations and stations for lymphedema assessment. The symposium will be held on November 5, 2016 from 9am to noon at the MSU College of Nursing.

“The programs funded by Komen Michigan fill the gaps where other health programs fall short,” said Jennifer Jurgens, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Michigan and breast cancer survivor. “We are fortunate to have such great partnerships with local breast health organizations so that every man and woman has the access to care they deserve.”

Pink Impact: Breast Care Services at MSU will serve individuals in Mid-Michigan, specifically in the counties of Jackson, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee, Livingston and Washtenaw. Help MSU inform the community by liking and sharing the Pink Impact: Breast Care at MSU Facebook page.  Individuals that have questions or need help accessing services can direct their inquiries to MSU by calling (517) 267-2460 or emailing pink.impact@hc.msu.edu.

 

For more information on Komen Michigan programs, visit komenmichigan.org or call (616) 752-8262.

 

 

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University has been working to advance the common good in uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU focuses its vast resources on creating solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges. For MSU news on the Web, go to msutoday.msu.edu. Follow MSU News on Twitter at twitter.com/MSUnews.

 

About Susan G. Komen Michigan

Komen Michigan is an independent, local non-profit organization that is dedicated to combating breast cancer. 75 percent of the organization’s net proceeds go towards programs and funding grants to local hospitals and community organizations that provide breast health education, screenings, diagnostics and survivorship programs for underserved men and women in Michigan.

The remaining 25 percent of net proceeds funds global, leading-edge research focused on the prevention of, and cures for, breast cancer. Komen Michigan’s mission is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality of care for all, and energizing science to find the cures. For more information call 616-752-8262 or visit www.komenmichigan.org.

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $889 million in research and provided $1.95 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.