Free breast health evaluations offered in Newberry Sept. 23

NEWBERRY – To Your Health and Wellness will provide a limited number of free breast health evaluations on Saturday, September 23, for women who are overdue for breast cancer screening or have faced barriers to obtaining a mammogram.

The complimentary evaluations are being offered by the Newberry healthcare practice after appointments for a scheduled HerScan breast ultrasound event filled up. The expanded initiative, named Breast Health & Prevention Day, aims to help women identify necessary screenings and navigate the process of obtaining them.

“We hear from women who know they need to get their mammogram but keep putting it off because there is another step standing in the way,” said Jennifer Munksgard, owner and provider at To Your Health and Wellness. “Maybe they were told they need an order. Maybe they don’t have a primary care provider. Maybe they’re worried about cost or simply don’t know where to start. We want to help remove those barriers.”

During the evaluations, participants can review their breast screening history, discuss personal and family risk factors, and learn about breast density. The practice will also assist in determining the appropriate next steps for each individual.

When clinically appropriate, To Your Health and Wellness can provide imaging orders or referrals and help patients find local imaging services and lower-cost screening options. The event will also feature information on dense breast tissue, which can complicate mammogram readings and is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Understanding breast density's role in overall risk and whether additional screening is needed will be a key focus.

Women do not need an appointment for the HerScan ultrasound event to receive a free breast health evaluation. The September 23 event also marks an early start to the practice’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, which will continue throughout October.

“Our goal isn’t just breast cancer awareness,” Munksgard stated. “We want to help women actually get screened. If we can remove one obstacle that has kept someone from scheduling her mammogram, that matters.”

To Your Health and Wellness is a prevention-focused primary care practice led by Munksgard, a family nurse practitioner. The practice specializes in preventive care, metabolic health, and lifestyle medicine.

The number of complimentary evaluations is limited. Interested women can contact To Your Health and Wellness at 352-363-1034 to schedule an evaluation for September 23.