Health Briefs: Eligibility expanded for Breast & Cervical Cancer Project

        Through the state’s biennial budget process, elected officials allocated an additional $100,000 per year to expand Medicaid eligibility for treatment of women who are diagnosed with cancer through the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP).
        The BCCP is a safety net program that provides free mammograms, cervical exams and other prevention services to more than 7,000 low-income Ohioans each year.
        “The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is proud to have worked with lawmakers through the budget process to expand eligibility to this critical program and thanks the ODH for its quick action to implement this expansion,” said Leo Almeida, ACS CAN government relations director.
        “The American Cancer Society (ACS) helps people with breast cancer in every community and recommends that women are proactive about life-saving screening, including annual mammograms beginning at age 45 for women of average risk,” said Kathy Goss, PhD, VP of Regional Cancer Control at the American Cancer Society. “ACS’s research has played a role in many of the prevention, screening and treatment advances in breast cancer treatment that help save lives from breast cancer.”
        Last spring, mammography rates declined by 70 percent because of the pandemic, causing a backlog of screenings or the risk that many people will forego their screenings altogether.
        The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) makes cancer a top priority for policymakers at every level of government. ACS CAN empowers volunteers across the country to make their voices heard to influence evidence-based public policy change that saves lives. Learn more at fightcancer.org.
 
Vaccines, boosters available
        Magruder Hospital is offering Moderna COVID booster shots for the community.
        The hospital has only the Moderna COVID booster vaccine. Those eligible include patients over the age of 65 and high-risk people in the 18-64 age groups who completed their vaccine series six or more months ago.
        The Moderna vaccine and booster are available now at The Pharmacy at Magruder on a walk-in basis, Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The pharmacy is located past the ER at 615 Fulton St., Suite 100.
        In addition, Magruder’s Community Clinic, located at 730 Jefferson St., is offering the Moderna booster. Use the self-scheduler application found at magruderhospital.com.
        To schedule the J & J or Pfizer vaccines and boosters, contact the Ottawa County Health Department at 419-734-6800 or visit ottawahealth.org.
 
Mercy Mobile Mammogram
November scheduled stops
        Mercy Health Mobile Mammogram Unit will make several stops throughout the area in November.
        The Mobile Mammography Unit offers 3D mammograms to women age 40 and older. It is equipped with 3D technology and offers patients the option of self-compression, meaning the patient will have the ability to control the compression once she is in position.
        Certified radiologists read all mammograms, and because a second look can mean a second chance, all mammograms are double-checked with a computer-aided detection system that detects more breast cancer than mammography alone. The patient and her physician receive a copy of the results.
The schedule includes:
• Tuesday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Mercy Health - Oregon Clinic, 3841 Navarre Ave., Oregon.
        • Wednesday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. – Old West End Community Health Center, 2244 Collingwood Boulevard, Toledo.
        • Friday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Mercy Health - Jefferson Family Medicine, 2200 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo.
        • Thursday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Mercy Health - St. Vincent Heart & Vascular Institute, 2222 Cherry St., Toledo.
        • Friday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mercy Health - Waterville Primary Care, 1222 Pray Boulevard, Waterville.
        • Tuesday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Halim Clinic/Mercy Health - Spring Valley OBGYN & Midwives, 6855 Spring Valley Dr., Holland.
        While mammogram screenings may be covered by insurance, for best coverage, patients are encouraged to verify if Mercy Health – St. Charles Hospital is an in-network provider with their insurance carriers.
        Financial need-based assistance programs are available for those who are uninsured or underinsured (have high deductibles). Call 419-696-5839 for more information.
        Screenings at the Mercy Health Mobile Mammography unit are by appointment only. Call 833-MAMM-VAN to schedule a screening on the mobile unit. To view the full list of dates and locations, visit mercy.com/toledomobilemamm.