SUMTER, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Best Chance Network and McLeod Breast Health Center in Sumter are partnering for a series of cancer prevention screenings in the Sumter area.
The Best Chance Network (BCN) is the agency's breast and cervical cancer early detection program and provides no-cost, breast and cervical cancer screenings to qualifying women in South Carolina. To enroll in BCN or to check eligibility, you can contact the department directly at 1-800-450-4611, email BCNHelp@dhec.sc.gov, or for the Sumter mammogram appointments, contact McLeod Patient Access at 843-777-2095.
McLeod Breast Health Center's mobile 3D mammography unit will be at the following locations in Sumter:
- Monday, Jan. 29: Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 115 Wall St., 9 am-4 pm
- February 1 and February 2: Sumter County Health Department, 105 North Magnolia St., 9 am-4 pm
- March 1: Sumter United Ministries, 36 South Artillery Dr., 9 am-4 pm
To be eligible for a mammogram on the mobile unit, you must meet the following criteria:
- Must have insurance or a method of payment. No cash, please. Medicaid, Medicare, and Best Chance Network (see registration/enrollment information above) are accepted.
- Must have a referring physician/provider to send the results to.
- No order is required unless you are under age 40, or as required by your physician.
- Must not have had a screening mammogram performed in the past 12 months for most insurance coverage (check your individual plan).
- Must not have any current breast problems such as lumps, discharge, or swelling.
- Must not be pregnant and not have nursed within the past three months.
- Must not have been diagnosed with breast cancer within the past five years.
- Must be able to walk up steps unassisted and stand independently.
- Please bring insurance card and government issued picture ID to your appointment.
- Appointments typically last 15-30 minutes.
- If your previous mammogram was not done at a McLeod Health Facility, please bring prior mammogram images to your appointment if possible.
To schedule an appointment, contact McLeod Patient Access at 843-777-2095.
Also, mammogram and cervical (pap) screenings will be held Monday, January 29, at the Allendale County Health Department, 571 Memorial Ave N, in Allendale. DHEC BCN and the Medical University of South Carolina Mobile Health Unit personnel will be onsite 10 am-2 pm.
To schedule your baseline mammogram and/or cervical (pap) screening contact 843-792-0878. Note that 366 days must have passed since your last mammogram before you schedule your appointment.
Uninsured patients may ask about having their appointment covered 100% by BCN.
