Coalition Provides Links to Valuable Breast Health Resources on Treasure Coast

In Martin and St. Lucie counties, a need was identified for improvements in access to breast cancer prevention, screening and treatment, along with identifying support and services for those diagnosed with breast cancer.

To fulfill that need, the Breast Health Coalition of Martin and St. Lucie Counties in Florida was formed. Comprised of health professionals, health organizations, advocates and breast cancer survivors, our mission is to improve breast cancer screening, detection, treatment and services in our communities.

To accomplish this we set three goals:

1. Identify resources and services related to breast health and breast cancer in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
2. Develop and maintain an online services and resource directory for individuals and health care providers.
3. Identify and close gaps in services through advocacy in our community.

We have been working diligently over the past year to gather these resources and create a single source of breast health information by creating the Breast Health Resource Directory for Martin and St. Lucie Counties, Florida, which can be found at www.BreastHealthCoalition.com.

This Web site provides free and accessible breast health information and resources in our community, as well as links to state and national resources. It can also be used by health professionals to direct their patients to find resources and assistance.

There are many people in our community who are underserved, uninsured or underinsured and lack the financial resources needed to obtain quality breast health care. This population and others are unaware of where to find the help they need, and therefore may delay seeking care due to financial difficulties or lack of information.

It’s also extremely important that they have access to resources, because patients diagnosed with breast cancer have a tremendous need for support and services. We hope that by providing this information to the community through the Breast Health Resource Directory, we will help women access valuable resources that will allow them to obtain the care they need.

Through our efforts we have identified gaps in breast health services and we are continuing to work toward closing them by seeking the development of services and programs that will better serve the needs of our community.

In our first year we have been very successful in our endeavors and proud of what we have accomplished. Though much more work needs to be done, we are ready to meet the challenges ahead.