Horizon Health Care, Inc. (Horizon) has been awarded a grant from the South Dakota Department of Health for $15,000 to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates in the communities of Aberdeen, Fort Thompson and Wessington Springs, SD.
Horizon will be working with the South Dakota Department of Health, and its Comprehensive Cancer Control Program and Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to develop strategies for ensuring all women of appropriate age are screened.
According to the South Dakota Cancer Registry, cancer was the second leading cause of death in South Dakota in 2012 with more than 4,180 cancer cases diagnosed and 1,623 deaths. In 2012, the most common cancer diagnosis in the state was female breast cancer. Each day, 11 cases of cancer are diagnosed in South Dakota residents.
“Breast and cervical cancer can affect women of all ages, even without symptoms,” said Kathy Hettinger, CFNP, Aberdeen Community Health Center. “As a lifelong advocate for women and their health, I encourage all women to visit with your healthcare provider about what routine screenings you need. Screening is simple and easy. Ask questions and get screened, not only for you, but for your family and loved ones.”
Horizon will utilize grant funds to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates by increasing awareness for the need for screening, sending reminders to patients who need to complete screening and working in partnership with clinicians to review rates of screening and develop strategies to increase screening rates among targeted populations.
For over 38 years, Horizon Health Care, Inc. has been providing personalized, affordable, high-quality medical, dental and mental health care through a rural, community-based network in South Dakota. Horizon is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that serves the medical, dental and mental health care needs of South Dakotans in rural, medically underserved areas through 83,000 patient visits annually in 25 community health centers in: Aberdeen, Bison, Bryant, De Smet, Eagle Butte, Faith, Fort Thompson, Howard, Huron, Isabel, La Plant, Lake Preston, Martin, McIntosh, Mission, Plankinton, Wessington Springs, White River and Woonsocket. For more information please visit www.horizonhealthcare.org