The overview
With the help of funding from Williamson County, Lone Star Circle of Care has been able to use a 3D mammography system in its Big Pink Bus to provide women in Central Texas with early breast cancer detection services, often at low-cost or free.
Williamson County Executive Assistant Kathy Pierce noted in a presentation that 87% of the women served were at or below the federal poverty level.
“Breast cancer affects everyone. It doesn't matter the race or economic status,” Pierce said. “There have been a lot of women that have been assisted and would not have had another option for treatment.”
As the Commissioners Court approved the agenda item declaring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Precinct 3 County Commissioner Valerie Covey touched on her personal experience with the cause, noting her sister is a 20-year survivor of breast cancer.
“I just want to encourage all women to not push this off and to go get a mammogram,” Covey said.
Early detection can play a vital role in reducing mortality rates. If caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99% for those diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, according to the Lone Star Circle of Care website.
The background
The Big Pink Bus services women in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Williamson, Travis, Bell and Burnet counties.
The mobile mammography provides screenings as well as outreach and education.
As previously reported by Community Impact, Lone Star Circle of Care CEO Jon Calvin said the idea for the bus came after examining the accessibility of screenings for uninsured individuals and looking closer at the data related to race and ethnicity.
Through this, the organization identified a need for targeted outreach in the community.
What residents should know
You can get a screening mammogram on the Big Pink Bus if you:
- Are age 40 and older
- Are uninsured, or have coverage from MAP, MAP Basic, or select commercial insurance
- Have not had a mammogram in the last 365 days
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are not experiencing breast issues, such as lumps, discharge, or pain
- Can independently walk up and down stairs
