In 2021, only 38 percent of women in the Tri-Area Community Health (TACH) service region, which covers Patrick, Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, and Grayson counties along with Galax, received breast cancer screenings — a rate substantially lower than both the state and national averages. Limited access to breast cancer screening locations complicated by the extensive travel needed to reach healthcare providers presents challenging barriers to women in the region.
As a result, TACH partnered with UVA Health to enhance breast cancer screening and follow-up services across Southwest Virginia, bringing essential resources to underserved communities.
The partnership aims to improve access to regular screening and follow-up care by exploring innovative strategies to bring mammography services closer to the community. A grant application was made for a mobile mammography unit to serve TACH’s locations in Laurel Fork, Cana, Ferrum, Floyd, Troutdale, Fries, and Stuart. If funded, services will include diagnostic imaging, biopsies, patient education, navigation services, and referrals for treatment at National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers like UVA Cancer Center.
“This partnership with UVA Health is a significant step in addressing the barriers that prevent women from accessing breast cancer screenings,” said James Werth, Jr., TACH Chief Executive Officer. “By bringing these services to our communities, we can overcome challenges such as travel and limited access, enabling earlier detection and timely care.”
To enhance the initiative’s impact, UVA Cancer Center navigators will work with TACH patient navigators to develop a navigation protocol to identify patients, remove barriers, schedule mammograms, and provide follow-up referrals. This collaboration seeks to engage regional healthcare providers, such as free clinics and private practices, to broaden the reach of the services. Existing programs such as Every Women’s Life (EWL), from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and available through UVA Health, will play a crucial role in expanding the number of uninsured and low-income women who access lifesaving cancer screenings.
Community engagement and education are key components of the initiative. UVA Cancer Center outreach specialists will train TACH navigators to offer UVA cancer education programs such as Understanding Cancer at local faith-based organizations and other key community locations.
This collaborative showcases a shared commitment to improving breast cancer screening rates and outcomes. Together, TACH and UVA Health aim to provide comprehensive breast cancer screening navigation services that include community engagement, education, outreach, and clinic-based support for women in the region.
Tri-Area Community Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and a 501(c)3 organization with full-service locations in Cana, Ferrum, Floyd, Fries, Grayson Highlands, and Laurel Fork; Behavioral Health in Stuart; and School-Based Clinics in collaboration with Galax City Public Schools and Carroll County Public School District. For more information call (866) 942-0401 or visit www.triareahealth.org.
