One out of eight women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet with today’s state-of-the-art medical technologies, 80% of breast cancers are detected before they can be seen or felt. In the past, doctors and professionals recommended women to conduct self-examinations at home to check for lumps or unusual pain. However, with today’s spike in medical innovation, it is highly encouraged to see a healthcare professional for a screening early before any signs of abnormality. Doctor Majewski at Aurora Health Care Cancer Center in Walworth County confirms, “detecting breast cancer at its early stages leads to better treatment options and outcomes.”
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer can occur at any age, but is most common amongst women from the ages of 40-50-years-old at premenopausal and postmenopausal stages. It is highly encouraged by doctors to check your family history for any sort of medical conditions and relations to cancer. Breast cancer is common amongst women with a family history of abnormalities.
“We have a lot of women that qualify every year, and it is a huge help…a relief for them. Every patient and the kind of care they need is unique.”
– Lisa, Breast Care Coordinator and Mammography Technician
Yet seeing a doctor can be a major challenge to many women, from a nancial standpoint. There are many women in Walworth County who either have no health insurance, low incomes, or health insurance with high co-pays, all of which prevents them from regular check-ups.
“Having a screening at an earlier age is in everybody’s best interest. But even the small amount for a mammogram can be a deterrent and it is really important to get screened.” -Doctor Majeswki, Aurora Health Care Cancer Center.
It’s setbacks like these that have brought the Keefe Real Estate and Aurora Health Care communities together to ensure no woman is denied a breast cancer screening. They have voiced their concern and collectively created an option to help offset these financial burdens for women in Walworth County: the Breast Cancer Treatment Assistance Program.
The Breast Cancer Treatment Assistance Program provides free screening and mammogram services to qualifying women. If a woman qualities for this financial aid they will be backed by a specialized team of breast care counselors and financial advisors. This support team keeps patients and their families informed about treatments and financial aid every step of the way.
“Supporting underserved members of the local community is one of our core missions, and we believe that the efforts Aurora has put forth are extremely important. This also hits close to home as two individuals at Keefe have battled breast cancer this past year, and we understand first-hand how beneficial proper care and treatment can be.”
– Tom Keefe
Aurora Cancer Care offers comprehensive cancer care at 19 locations throughout Wisconsin. In Racine and Walworth counties, care is offered at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic inside Aurora Health Center Southern Lakes. This location offers the area’s only 3D mammogram imaging center, as well as a breast health cancer navigator, a more personalized approach to care. The enhanced oncology center features twenty three infusion bays for chemotherapy treatment, two private infusion rooms and ten oncology-focused exam rooms. Additionally, the Aurora Cancer Care location on Washington Avenue in Racine also offers chemotherapy and radiation for patients. Patients also have access to cancer experts at multiple hospitals, including the Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha, Aurora Memorial Burlington Hospital, and Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, among others.
Over the past 25 years, Keefe Real Estate has been proud to play a role in supporting the greater Walworth County community and will continue to do so.
For more information about Keefe Kares, visit keefekares.com or contact Tom Pederson at 262-348-3257.
