Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Encourages Screenings and Education During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

New PPSAT VP of Patient Services says not enough women get screened or know how often to get a breast exam

RALEIGH, N.C. — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and — just like every month — Planned Parenthood is here to to provide expert, supportive, confidential care. While many people are aware of the role Planned Parenthood plays in providing birth control, STI testing and treatment, and safe, legal abortion, they may not know the significant and irreplaceable role that Planned Parenthood plays in preventing and detecting cancer.

Lisa Lowe-Hall, Vice President of Patient Services, started with Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT) September 1, and has already seen the immediate need to let the communities PPSAT serves know that we’re here with the information needed to stay healthy, and to help navigate when a check-up or a cancer screening is due.

“The truth is that not enough women get the check-ups and preventive care they need,” Lisa Lowe-Hall, Vice President for Patient Services, said. “It can be easy to take our health for granted, but preventive care is an important part of keeping yourself safe, healthy and happy. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic wants women of all ages to take charge of their health with regular breast screenings and well-woman exams.”

Last year, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic provided lifesaving breast cancer screenings to more than 3,900 patients in North Carolina, helping women detect breast cancer and connect them to treatment.

A 2016 national Planned Parenthood survey found that too many women face barriers to getting their recommended cancer screenings — especially Black and Hispanic women. It also found that a vast majority of women do not know when and how often they should get screened for breast cancer — even if they think they do:

84 percent of women said they understand how often women should be checked for breast cancer. However, only 10 percent correctly answered that the average 21- to 39-year-old woman should be checked for breast cancer every one to three years, depending on her history.
23 percent of women said they did not know when they should next get checked for breast cancer.
Asked if they have ever been checked for breast cancer, 16 percent of women said no and 3 percent said they weren’t sure. While 87 percent of White women said they had been screened, only 74 percent of Black women and 69 percent of Hispanic women said they had been screened.

Planned Parenthood knows that across the United States, many people of color are deeply affected by an overwhelming lack of access to health care and health education. At Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, we believe that all people and their families deserve the highest quality of care, no matter who they are or where they live — no matter what.

“We want to encourage women to talk more about breast health,” Lowe-Hall added. “You can take control of your health and wellness — and that of your loved ones — through education and encouragement. It’s empowering when you know your screening recommendations and when you encourage your loved ones to know theirs as well.”

Lisa Lowe-Hall comes to PPSAT from Duke University Hospital, where she oversaw ambulatory care centers. While there, she was responsible for coaching a staff to unprecedented and innovative improvements in patient satisfaction and volume. With over eight years of experience and a Master's degree in Health Administration from Pfeiffer University, Lowe-Hall has the talent, credentials and experience to further Planned Parenthood’s mission to provide quality care, no matter what.

As one of the nation's leading providers of women's health care, Planned Parenthood is here to help you and your loved ones understand how to best take care of your health and body and get you the care you need. We’re experts in women’s health, and we can help you understand what you can do to stay on top of your breast health. Find more information at PlannedParenthood.org.

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