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SAN PABLO, CA - (DMC) was awarded a $43,120 grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure San Francisco Bay
Area® to extend breast cancer care to underserved women from West Contra Costa County. The
funds will be utilized for the diagnostic workup of breast cancer in women from Contra Costa
County who do not have access to adequate breast care.
Under the Komen SF Bay Area Grant, Doctors Medical Center and the Brookside
Community Health Center (BCHC)- a federally qualified health center (FQHC) will collaborate
and provide breast care to women that are under 40, newly diagnosed or symptomatic, Latina,
underinsured or uninsured. DMC and BCHC are safety net providers and collaborate to reduce
barriers for women who do not have access to appropriate breast cancer health information,
screening, diagnostics and treatment. These at risk women will now be able to have the
necessary workups including diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies, ultimately
leading to early detection and treatment for these patients who would have otherwise gone
undiagnosed and untreated for cancer. Education and patient resources will be provided by
DMC and BCHC to help overcome cultural, language and unfamiliarity with cancer and cancer
prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment options.
“We are extremely grateful to the San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen
for the Cure for this award,” said Dr. Hayden Evans, Radiologist at Doctors Medical Center. “
We have many patients who cannot afford breast care and his grant gives us the ability to care
for these women.”
Breast cancer continues to be the most prevalent form of cancer in Contra Costa County.
The money awarded by Komen SF Bay Area will help bridge the gap between the services
offered in the community and the women needing access to them.
The J.C. Robinson, M.D. Regional Cancer Center is nationally recognized by the
Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons and earned 9 commendations,
which less than 10% of hospitals nationwide receive. Cancer services include multidisciplinary
and comprehensive cancer care of screenings, diagnostics, ultrasounds, biopsies, lymphedema,
and support services.
Doctors Medical Center is a community hospital that operates the largest emergency
department in West County and sees 40,000 patients each year. The hospital serves a population
of 250,000 people and is the region’s only safety net hospital.
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