Make Your Health a Priority This Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A Survivor’s Voice: The Importance of Early Detection

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor those who have battled breast cancer, celebrate survivors, remember those we have lost, and remind the women in our lives just how important it is to make their health a priority.

At Griswold, this month holds a special meaning as we recognize one of our very own team members who is a breast cancer survivor. Her journey reflects strength, courage, hope, and resilience, and she wants to use her experience to encourage other women to take an important step in protecting their health.

Why Mammograms Matter

Life gets busy. Between work, family, and taking care of everyone around us, it’s easy for women to put their own health on the back burner. We tell ourselves we’ll make that appointment next month or when things slow down.

But when it comes to breast health, making time for recommended screenings matters.

Mammograms can detect changes in breast tissue before symptoms appear. Finding breast cancer early can provide more treatment options and improve the chances of successful treatment.

For women who have experienced breast cancer firsthand, the importance of regular screenings takes on an entirely new meaning.

A Message From One of Our Own

As a breast cancer survivor, Lisa Peters understands how quickly life can change and how important it is to listen to your body, advocate for your health, and stay on top of recommended screenings.

Her hope in sharing her story is simple: to encourage other women not to delay taking care of themselves.

“One of the scariest moments of my life was hearing the words, ‘You have cancer,’” she said. 

Thankfully, her cancer was detected early. Lisa considers herself fortunate and her experience a powerful reminder of the importance of screenings and early detection.

“Early detection can save lives. Please prioritize your health, keep up with your screenings, and encourage the women you love to do the same.”

Make Yourself a Priority

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than wearing pink. It’s about conversations, education, support, and action.

Talk with your healthcare provider about when you should begin mammograms and how often you should be screened based on your age, family history, and personal risk factors. If you notice a change in your breasts, don’t wait for your next scheduled screening to have it evaluated.

At Griswold, caring for others is at the heart of what we do. But we also believe that taking care of yourself is just as important.

This October, we encourage every woman to make her health a priority, schedule any recommended screenings, and remind the women she loves to do the same.

Take the Next Step: Breast Cancer Screening Resources in the Palmetto State

Early detection matters, and access to screenings should never be overlooked. If you have been putting off your mammogram because of cost, lack of insurance, or simply not knowing where to go, there are resources available right here in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Best Chance Network (BCN) helps eligible women access free breast and cervical cancer screenings, including mammograms. The program is designed to assist women who meet certain age, income, and insurance requirements.

Hospitals, imaging centers, and community health organizations throughout the Palmetto State also provide mammography services. Some offer financial assistance or can help patients connect with screening programs.

A phone call could be the first step toward protecting your health.

The following resources serve residents of Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Lexington, Orangeburg, and Richland counties. Contact each organization to confirm screening availability, eligibility, insurance requirements, and potential financial assistance.

Berkeley County

Fetter Health Center Wellness Center For Women
120 Varnfield Dr, Summerville, SC 29483 
Phone: 843-722-4112
Offers a sliding fee discount program.

Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Moncks Corner Medical Plaza
730 Stoney Landing Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: 843-899-7700
Provides mammography services. Ask about insurance coverage and available financial assistance.

Calhoun County

South Carolina Best Chance Network
Phone: 1-800-450-4611
Calhoun County residents can contact the program for help locating an authorized screening provider or a participating mobile mammography service.

Charleston County

MUSC Health, Hollings Cancer Center
86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425
Phone: 843-792-8439
Provides screening and diagnostic mammography. MUSC also operates a mobile screening program that works with Best Chance Network to serve eligible uninsured and underinsured women.

Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Mount Pleasant Hospital Breast Care
3510 Highway 17 North, Suite 205, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Phone: 843-402-5000
Offers mammography and breast imaging services.

Colleton County

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Mobile Health Unit
Phone: 843-792-0878
Provides scheduled mobile breast cancer screening services, including mammograms. The mobile unit has events scheduled in Colleton County, and eligible women may qualify for screenings through Best Chance Network.

Dorchester County

Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital
100 Callen Boulevard, Summerville, SC 29486
Phone: 854-529-3100
Provides access to breast imaging services in the greater Summerville area. Call to confirm mammography scheduling and financial assistance options.

Dorchester Family Health Center
Phone: 843-722-4112
Call ahead to confirm current mammogram scheduling and sliding-scale availability.

Georgetown County

South Carolina Best Chance Network
Phone: 1-800-450-4611
Georgetown County residents can request assistance locating an authorized provider for free breast cancer screening services if eligible.

Horry County

McLeod Health, McLeod Seacoast– Loris/Little River area
McLeod Health offers 3D mammography at its Seacoast and Loris locations. For screening information, visit www.mcleodhealth.org or contact Best Chance Network to ask about no-cost screening options.

Conway Medical Center Mobile Mammography
Phone: 843-234-6891
Offers mobile mammography events. Call for scheduling information and ask about Best Chance Network eligibility.

Lexington County

Lexington Health, Women’s Imaging Center
West Columbia, SC
Phone: 803-791-2486
Offers screening and diagnostic mammography, along with mobile mammography events. Ask about financial assistance or eligibility for Best Chance Network services.

Orangeburg County

South Carolina Best Chance Network
Phone: 1-800-450-4611
Residents can receive assistance identifying participating screening providers and learning about eligibility for no-cost mammograms.

Richland County

Prisma Health Mobile Mammography – Columbia and surrounding Midlands communities
Phone: 803-434-3300
Provides mobile mammography services at scheduled community locations. Eligible women may receive screenings through Best Chance Network.

Cooperative Health & Eau Claire/Waverly Centers
Multiple federally funded community health centers in Columbia offer breast health services and mammograms on a sliding-scale fee schedule for uninsured and underinsured patients:

• Cooperative Health Administrative Offices (Columbia, SC 29223): 803-733-5969
• Eau Claire Internal & Behavioral Medicine (Columbia, SC 29203): 803-252-0266 or 803-754-0151

• Waverly Women’s Health (Columbia, SC 29204): 803-744-0540
• Genesis Healthcare, Inc. (Columbia, SC 29203): 803-254-3676

Additional Statewide Resources

South Carolina Best Chance Network (BCN)
Phone: 1-800-450-4611
South Carolina’s breast and cervical cancer early detection program provides free screening and certain diagnostic services to eligible women. Qualifications include age, income, insurance status, and other screening-specific criteria.

Best Chance Network Provider Directory
Find authorized enrollment providers and information about accessing free screenings. Patients should contact a participating enrollment provider before arranging services under BCN coverage.

Best Chance Network Mobile Screening Services
Lists participating mobile mammography providers and scheduling information for community screening events throughout South Carolina.

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Mobile Health Unit
Phone: 843-792-0878
Provides mobile cancer screening services in underserved communities, including mammograms for eligible patients through Best Chance Network.

American Cancer Society
Phone: 1-800-227-2345
Offers cancer screening information, patient navigation resources, and assistance locating support services and financial resources.

American Breast Cancer Foundation, Key to Life Program
Provides financial assistance for breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing to eligible individuals who face financial barriers.

Please note: Not every facility listed offers free mammograms directly. Screening costs, insurance coverage, financial assistance, and eligibility vary. Call ahead to confirm services and current availability.Screening costs, insurance coverage, financial assistance, and eligibility vary. Call ahead to confirm services and current availability.