Ascension St. Francis Hospital’s Su Salud Program offers access to 3D mammography screening, bilingual breast health education, patient navigation and diagnostic services to women who are underinsured and uninsured while reducing barriers to the care they need.
 
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Latina and Hispanic women. Early detection through screening mammography can save lives. Having a 90% Spanish-speaking patient base, Su Salud, Spanish for “Your Health,” encourages women 40 years and older to participate in the program by making connections within the community, overcoming language and other barriers.
 
The program’s goals are:
 

• Improving access to mammography and primary care
• Removing financial barriers
• Removing language barriers
• Community education

 
Partnering with local churches, community clinics, and other organizations, Su Salud is partially funded by a grant that enables the program to provide additional patient support and to cover the cost, or a portion of the mammogram cost. Last year Su Salud was able to get 819 women the mammograms they need.
 
When transportation is an issue, a ride to the appointment is offered at no cost to the patient. Su Salud’s mobile mammography unit also travels to events and community clinics throughout the Milwaukee area providing mammograms and education.
 
Through Su Salud, thousands of women have received mammograms since 2004 as the program continues to create understanding and access to a compassionate support system for women who have traditionally been reluctant to engage in or otherwise excluded from life-saving breast cancer screenings.