Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Thompson Health are working together to provide more education to women about breast cancer screening and early detection.
A $2,500 grant from Excellus will help Thompson Health acquire additional patient education materials for its Breast Health Patient Navigation Program. Thompson will purchase models that allow patients to practice breast self-exams. According to recent studies, women are more likely to conduct self-exams if provided with models to teach them, along with other, simple educational interventions.
Thompson’s Breast Health Navigation Program provides a team of health care professionals — including a mammography nurse, a breast health specialist and a social worker — dedicated to working with women to receive regular breast cancer screening for early detection and treatment. The team also helps women who have been diagnosed with cancer to navigate the healthcare system to receive the necessary treatments and support services. The program serves patients in Ontario, Monroe, Livingston, Yates, Wayne, Seneca and Steuben counties. For more information, call (585) 396-6061.