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Who We Help

Healthy Women’s Program

Breast and cervical cancer have touched the lives of many people. Early detection and awareness is the key in the battle against these life-threatening diseases. Yet many women who are uninsured, under-insured or who lack access to funds cannot afford to pay for these services. The Healthy Women’s Program at Community Memorial Health System provides an answer.

Through funds raised by Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s annual Gold Dust Gala, along with the generous support of the Wallis Foundation, Community Memorial Health System is able to offer breast cancer screening and treatment, and cervical cancer screening and vaccine, to women in our community who need assistance in accessing these life-saving exams.

In 2010, five public breast cancer screening days (Community Outreach Days) were held that assisted 154 women. The Community Outreach Day events target specific communities, and start out with breast cancer education at one of our Centers for Family Health, followed by complimentary transportation to and from the Breast Center for mammography exams – all covered under the Healthy Women’s Program.

Breast Cancer Screening & Treatment

Every two minutes, there is a new breast cancer diagnosis. Every 14 minutes, a life is lost to the disease. This is an alarming number, yet through the funds raised at the Gold Dust Galas, we have been actively taking care of women in our community who lack access to life-saving tests and treatments to combat this disease. Last year, 127 women received breast care treatments ranging from mammography exams to biopsies and surgical interventions at the Breast Center, located at Community Memorial Hospital. We are very proud to help these individuals because without access to our program, many of these women would have few other options. In fact, our unique program is the only one in the county that offers these treatments to women under the age of 40.

Cervical Cancer Screening & Vaccine

Last year, Community Memorial Health System was able to provide 43 women with cervical cancer screenings and vaccines through funds raised by the Gold Dust Gala. Each year 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Cervical cancer continues to be the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide after breast cancer. Cancer of the cervix is almost always caused by the human papilloma virus, commonly known as HPV.

The good news is that most cases of cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection and treatment. Our program, administered at our Centers for Family Health clinics located throughout western Ventura County, offers qualified women access to a Papanicolaou test (Pap smear). The Pap test can identify abnormal or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix so that they can be removed before cancer develops. In addition, the HPV vaccine treatment series, Gardasil, will be available. This vaccine series protects against four strains of HPV that are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers.

A Survivors Story: Martha Vargas

Last March, Martha Vargas saw a flyer posted at the Centers for Family Health announcing an upcoming 'Mammo Day' – a community outreach event sponsored by Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation's Healthy Women's Program. Although she was only 38, something told her to take advantage of the free screening program.

It's a good thing she followed her intuition. The screening revealed she had breast cancer. The mother of a 9-year-old daughter, Martha said she didn't realize the severity of her diagnosis at first. "I was very calm. It wasn't until I was going through the process that it hit me. It hit me that I had cancer and I had no symptoms to warn me." With her husband and family by her side, Martha underwent a lumpectomy. She also counted on the doctors and staff at the CMH Breast Center. "They were very professional and answered all my questions. They helped me relax so I didn't worry so much."

Today, Martha is feeling good and her prognosis for a healthy future looks bright. "I'm so thankful and appreciative. If it wasn't for this program, I wouldn't have been able to be diagnosed at an early age and treatment for me would have cost too much. I can't tell you how grateful I am that the program paid for all the services."

One of the many unique features of the Healthy Women's Program is there is not an age criteria. "It's a great opportunity for women who lack insurance, and specifically, younger women. Women are told to get a mammogram at age 40. I'm so happy that I was able to be diagnosed a lot sooner.