FARMINGTON – The Healthy Community Coalition has received a $45,000 grant from the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund for breast cancer detection services in the Franklin County area.

According to the Maine Bureau of Health, Franklin County has a higher breast cancer mortality rate than the statewide rate. “We have a higher rate because this is a rural area and there are more late diagnoses,” said Leah Binder, coalition executive director. “And we have a very high rate of deaths from breast cancer in the state because there is a delay in prognosis. When they find the cancer, it is more advanced.”

This year’s project will be in collaboration with Franklin Memorial Hospital. This is the coalition’s fourth year of funding from the Avon Foundation.

“Franklin County has a tragically high rate of breast cancer mortality. We want to fight that by encouraging early detection, when breast cancer is at its most treatable stage. The best approach in our very rural, tightly knit community is a home-grown approach, and we are thankful to the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund for recognizing that with a continuation grant to the Healthy Community Coalition,” said Binder.

The coalition will receive $45,000 throughout 2005 for local, community-based efforts to educate women 40 and older about mammography and about state and local resources available for women uninsured or underinsured, and to ensure prompt and appropriate follow-up of an abnormal exam.

The coalition will work with the hospital to expand the HealthCard program to provide education and reminders to women about seeking an annual mammogram and breast examination. The HealthCard program will also provide information that will help local health providers remind women to have their mammograms in a timely fashion.

For more information on the coalition’s breast and cervical early detection programs, call Jennifer McCormack at 645-3136, ext. 5102.