FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
It's the infamous pink envelope, sent from McDonald Army Health Center, which most Service members will see at least once in their career.
The letter is a notification reminding the individual that they are coming due, or are past due for a breast-, cervical- or colon-cancer screening.
MCACH mails approximately 2,500 reminder letters each month, and continues to mail this monthly notification until the recommended screening exam is completed.
While these notices can serve as a constant reminder of a health risk, the best way to stay healthy is through preventive medical screenings. Some of these tests are not enjoyable, but they may save a patient's life through early identification and treatment of cancer or other diseases.
Screening tests, such as yearly mammograms, are given routinely to people who appear to be healthy and are not suspected of having cancer. The purpose of these screenings is to detect cancer early; before any cancer can develop. This makes it easier to treat.
These tests may seem inconvenient, but they are necessary - and can save lives. The letter below is from a patient battling cancer that was sent in September 2011.
"First, I would like to thank you for your kindness to me. You were very patient with me, and I appreciate everyone involved in my healthcare. I have been trying for some time to write this letter to thank the people who send out the reminder letters to get a screening mammogram. Cancer is so hard -- it makes you weep and weep. You have good days and bad. It is difficult to try to explain. I'll try.
On Feb. 10, 2010, I received another reminder letter that it was time for my mammogram. My husband and I were both at home here, and I put that letter down in my kitchen and said "Why are they always bugging me with these letters? There is no breast cancer in my family, I do self-exams religiously, I work, I'm busy, I have no time for this," and right then I did a self-exam and found a rather large lump in my right breast! Well! I seriously could not believe it. I had skipped several exams - too busy.
Now, your reminder letter is covered with appointment dates and directions that are a history of my journey through metastatic bi-lateral breast cancer, a partial mastectomy and a lumpectomy, wretched chemo for nearly a year, 37 radiation treatments, baldness to curly hair and much, much more. Breast cancer, which has no symptoms, does indeed happen to women like me every day. Someone has to be the first in the family, as I am. Now, instead of being just another statistic, with God's help and yours, I am also a survivor.
Thank you, to the entire Medical Management team for their dedication and professionalism! To include Population Health for sending out the letters, Utilization Management for the referral process and Case Management for coordinating my appointments and follow up. I would also like to say a special thank you to the Mammography staff for their outstanding compassion. Thank you, for all the women who came before me, and for all those who will come after me. We do so appreciate each of you for all you do for us. Keep up the good work ... And most of all, please keep sending those letters!
Keep reminding women like me who are too busy to take charge of their own health that you have their back. Please do not forget that each day you go to work, you save lives as you have saved mine."
Sincerely,
Dee Churchill (Dawn M.)
Call today to schedule your screenings. To learn more about "self" breast examinations, schedule a clinical breast exam with your Primary Care Manager. To schedule a Well Woman Exam, call the Hampton Roads Appointment Center at (866) 645-4584.