Did you know that if you don’t have insurance coverage for an annual screening mammogram (starting at age 40), that you may qualify for one of several grants available right here at Deaconess?
To start, contact Deaconess Breast Services and make an initial appointment (call 450-MAMM). At that time, let us know that you believe you won’t have insurance coverage (due to no insurance, or simply not having full coverage of the test). Our staff will ask you a few simple questions to determine which of our three grants/programs will best fit you.
- BCCP (Breast and Cervical Cancer Program) – a federal and state health care access program
- Komen grant
- Deaconess Hospital Foundation assistance
If you qualify for one of these programs, we’ll make your mammogram appointment and walk you through the process.
If someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, we offer a program through Komen called the Tri-Cap Breast Cancer Program. It provides the following:
- Organized patient navigator service
- Case management
- Education information
- Treatment cost service/assistance
This program is for men and women who are diagnosed with breast cancer and qualify financially (due to not having insurance, or cannot meet their deductible). To find out more, call Komen at (812) 962-2202, or Tri-Cap at (812)428-2632, option 3.
There are additional options for breast cancer treatment for those who need financial assistance. The BCCP helps women obtain care and services they need via this federal/state program. To qualify, you must complete a fairly simple application, which is available at the Deaconess Breast Center.
Also, both hospital systems in Evansville offer financial assistance for qualifying patients. Here at Deaconess, we have a simple process for applying for this type of aid. Visit the Financial Assistance page for full details, or contact our Patient Financial Services team at 812-450-6815 or toll free at 800-467-6802, 8 am to 4:15 pm CST.
For women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, at Deaconess Breast Services we have a breast cancer navigator who helps women and their families through the journey.
From helping understand treatment, to guiding a patient through financial assistance, to connecting a woman to numerous social services, support groups and other community resources, our breast cancer navigator is an expert at helping women through their breast cancer journey.
Komen also offers assistance in ways beyond formalized grants and programming.
We are knowledgeable about a variety of services. For example, we can connect you with support groups in the region:
Local breast cancer support groups:
- Ribbon Chicks, Young Survivor Support Group, Evansville, 812-473-5772 or 812-431-3981
- Woman to Woman, Evansville, 812-853-8010
- Peer Support Group, Carmi, 618-273-3326 x2227
- St. Mary's Hope Center - open to all female survivors of cancer. Meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Memorial Baptist Church, Evansville (605 Canal Street). Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
- Jasper, Indiana, 812-254-8851
- Dream with Faith II Women’s Cancer Support Group, Zion Baptist Church, Henderson, and meets the third Monday of the month. For more information contact Brenda Knight at 270-860-2704
There are also some wonderful online support group options:
While “how will I keep up with my house?” isn’t often an initial concern for women once they’re diagnosed, it can become an issue. There are cleaning services available to cancer patients.
Cleaning for A Reason:
If you know any woman currently undergoing chemo for any type of cancer, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning – once a month for four months while she is in treatment. 50 people are accepted for this service per day. To sign up and get more details, visit www.cleaningforareason.org. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. If you would like more information, you can call their office at 812-402-3060 or visit their website.
To learn more about services offered through Komen, visit our website at www.komenevansville.org. At the top, click on “subscribe,” and you will be able to sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter.
The American Cancer Society also offers numerous services to cancer patients (breast and otherwise).
For example, several educational programs can be a huge help and comfort to cancer patients and their families. “Look Good, Feel Better” helps women with their hair, makeup and skin care… all via licensed cosmetologists. Reach to Recovery is a one-on-one support/mentoring program, and Road to Recovery provides transportation to-and-from appointments.
Also, the Evansville office offers medication assistance and a wig program. Did you know that anyone can receive a free wig through American Cancer Society? And if you come to Deaconess Chancellor Center for Oncology to get your wig, you can have it cut and styled for free in the Deaconess Hospital salon.
Dealing with breast cancer can be a difficult journey, but there are many resources available to assist the patient and their family during this time.