Baptist Health providing 1,400 no-cost mammograms to qualifying community members

To expand access to life-saving mammograms in Northeast Florida, Baptist Health is providing 1,400 screenings at no cost to qualifying community members. The initiative is made possible through a generous donation from Pink Ribbon Jax, a nonprofit that supports local breast cancer research, mammography and patient services.

Research shows if breast cancer is caught early before it has spread, the five-year survival rate is 99%. Yet, approximately 44% of uninsured women in 2022 were not up to date on their regular screening, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Barriers to access, such as cost and lack of insurance, can often play a role in this.

“The most effective way to treat breast cancer is through early diagnosis,” said Laila Samiian, MD, director of the breast program at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We recommend screenings annually for women over 40 and potentially earlier if there is a family history of breast cancer.”

No-cost mammograms are available at any of Baptist Health’s seven mammogram screening locations for those who qualify.

"A mammogram can potentially save a life and prevent an entire circle of family and friends from losing someone to breast cancer,” said Marica Pendjer, chair, Pink Ribbon Jax. “Together, we can make sure every person in Jacksonville has a chance to survive breast cancer and it starts with a mammogram.”

To qualify for a no-cost screening mammogram, individuals must:

-Live in the greater Jacksonville area, including Duval, Clay, Nassau, Baker and St. Johns Counties

• Be uninsured Be age 40 or older
• Have a primary care physician write a physician’s order or receive a physician’s order through a free clinic in our community

These requirements are to ensure the program reaches those in need and that they can be connected to timely, follow-up care under the supervision of their primary care physician, if needed.

“We are grateful for the dedication of Pink Ribbon Jax team for their generous donation which allows us to provide mammography in the community and reach those who need it most,” said LeeAnn Mengel, vice president of Baptist MD Anderson. “Early detection is key, and I believe lives will be saved thanks to this initiative.”

For more information on how men and women can use this resource, visit baptistjax.com/pinkribbon.