Now in its seventh consecutive year, initiative provides free screenings to women in need

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Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Every year, more than 250,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed; an average of one woman every two minutes. Unfortunately, many women in Central Florida will forgo this important annual screening because they lack health insurance.

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Shepherd's Hope and Sand Lake Imaging are partnering to provide free mammograms to women in need in Central Florida. For each new patient who gets a mammogram at Sand Lake Imaging during the month of October, the facility will donate a free mammogram screening to an uninsured Shepherd's Hope patient. It is the seventh consecutive year for the "Get a Mammogram, Give a Mammogram" initiative held in conjunction with national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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"One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, but for those who are uninsured, this life-saving procedure is far from reach," said Pam Gould, President and CEO of Shepherd's Hope. "We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with Sand Lake Imaging that allows Shepherd's Hope to provide local uninsured women with this essential medical exam at no charge."

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Shepherd's Hope provides free primary and secondary medical services to the one in four Central Floridians who are uninsured or underinsured at five health center locations in Central Florida.

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Annual mammogram screenings can detect breast cancer early and help reduce breast cancer mortality. "Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among American women of all ages, with 21 percent of all cases occurring before the age of 50," said Dr. Robert Posniak, women's specialty radiologist and president of Sand Lake Imaging. "Routine annual screening mammography for an average-risk woman beginning at the age of 40 has been proven to save lives and gives more treatment options if diagnosed early. Our new Hologic® SmartCurve™ system offers a more comfortable patient experience without compromising image quality, exam time, dose or workflow."

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Screening mammogram appointments can be scheduled at any of Sand Lake Imaging's three convenient outpatient radiology centers. To schedule an appointment for the "Get a Mammogram, Give a Mammogram" program, call 407-363-2772.

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About Shepherd's Hope

Shepherd's Hope is the leading voice for the uninsured and underinsured in Central Florida. Founded in 1997, the faith-based nonprofit organization provides free primary care and specialty care medical services to uninsured men, women, and children from five free-standing health centers in Orange and Seminole counties. In 2018, Shepherd's Hope provided 19,575 free patient visits and medical services thanks to partnerships with 2,800 licensed medical and general volunteers, 3 community hospital systems, 100 diagnostic/secondary providers and 23 multi-faith partners. To learn more, visit www.shepherdshope.org or call (407) 876-6699, ext. 228.

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About Sand Lake Imaging

Sand Lake Imaging is committed to providing the highest quality diagnostic imaging to the patients and physicians of the Central Florida community in a cost-effective and timely manner. The staff and radiologists recognize that, in the performance of their duties, they must continually seek to improve services while remaining sensitive to patients' needs. Learn more at www.SandLakeImaging.com or call (407) 363-2772.