REGIONAL NONPROFIT
BY TAYLOR CRIPE
Big Pink Bus Local health care organization provides mammograms on the move
The Big Pink Bus is a mobile facility that began providing free and low-cost mammography services in July 2021. Operated by Lone Star Circle of Care, the bus travels to several Central Texas counties, including Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Lone Star Circle of Care CEO Jon Calvin and Big Pink Bus Program Director Rebecca Sorensen spoke with Community Impact about how the Big Pink Bus got its start, its response in the community and the need for early detection in the ght against breast cancer. This interview was edited for length, clarity and style.
The Big Pink Bus is supported by Lone Star Circle of Care CEO Jon Calvin and Program Director Rebecca Sorensen. (Photos by Taylor Cripe/Community Impact)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA To receive a free or low-cost mammogram on the Big Pink Bus, patients must:
HOW DID THE BIG PINK BUS ORIGINATE? Calvin: It actually started with the Ascension Seton hospital system. They operated the bus for a period of time, then it was basically idle and out of service due to various chal- lenges. After that, a group of leaders within the Austin area decided to get together. The group, Addressing Cancer Together coalition, identi ed that there’s some health disparities existing in Central Texas. We wanted to see how we could tackle some of the cancers, especially ones uninsured patients are facing today. One of the ideas early on was to go after breast cancer. We decided there was an opportunity—since the bus’s infrastructure already existed—to put that asset back into the community. We participated in the coalition, and through that process Lone Star Circle of Care decided to step up and actually operate the bus. HOW DID YOU IDENTIFY THE NEED FOR BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS? Calvin: If you look at breast cancer screenings for the entire eligible population based on guidelines, uninsured adult screenings are lower than the overall average of someone who is commercially insured. Then, we looked at national averages, speci cally during the pandemic, and saw that screening rates for breast cancer have gone down quite a bit. So just looking at the access to screenings for the uninsured, and then also looking at the more detailed picture based on race and ethnicity, there was an identi ed need to do more targeted outreach in the community. We thought this was a great mechanism to do so.
HOW DOES THE BUS OPERATE ON A DAILY BASIS? Sorensen: We provide mammogram screenings only on the bus. The begin- ning part of that is nding patients. We have our own network of patients that we reach out to. We will reach out to patients who might be overdue for a mammogram or who have never had one before. We have a designated day the bus will be at a certain location, then the patients show up to the bus for their appointment. After the mammogram, we’ll reach out to them with results. We’ll assist them with additional appointments if they require additional appointments. Calvin: Also, we partner with Austin Radiological Associates who actually do the readings and send the results back to us. If a patient ends up with a positive cancer diagnosis, we have a team that can help enroll that patient in any eligible programs. WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN FROM THE COMMUNITY? Sorensen: People love the bus. They resonate with the bus, and a lot of people know the history of the bus. From both patients and regular com- munity people, we get a lot of positive feedback. We also get a lot of requests from potential community partners about wanting to have the bus on-site. They’ve heard about it, and they think it would be great for their population. WHY IS THIS SERVICE IMPORTANT? Sorensen : It’s important because we provide accessibility and a little bit of convenience. This is something that might be available elsewhere, but we are bringing it to a place that [patients] are already familiar with and might already go to for other services.
be age 40 or older;
not have insurance or have insurance through Travis County’s Central Health’s Medical Access Program or select commercial insurances; have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months;
The examination room has a 3D mammogram machine.
not be pregnant or breastfeeding;
not be currently experiencing breast issues such as lumps, discharge or pain; and be able to independently walk up and down stairs.
In the bus’s waiting room, patients will review their medical history.
BIG PINK BUS The mobile mammogram service is stationed adjacent to the Lone Star Circle of Care clinic, 2423 Williams Drive, Ste. 103, Georgetown. Other locations for the bus vary. 844-746-5287 www.lonestarcares.org/service/mobile-mammography-big-pink-bus Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sat.-Sun.
you nd something, there’s a much greater probability that you can take care of it, resolve the issue and have a normal life than if you don’t take those preventive measures. WHO SHOULD BE GETTING MAMMOGRAMS? Sorensen: Anyone aged 40 and older, and typically anyone over age 50 is where we like to focus, but de nitely all women in that age group regardless of health. Of course, if you have a health history of breast cancer, or a family history, it’s even more import- ant. But even without a history, or a known history, it’s still important to get that regular preventive check.
Calvin: The other component is a ordability. For patients at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, the mammogram is free, so that removes that barrier with costs. Then, it’s a very a ordable rate going up the sliding fee scale. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HESI TANT ABOUT GETTING A MAM MOGRAM AND UTILIZING THESE SERVICES? Sorensen: My message would be that it’s part of preventive health care. This is one service that is noninvasive. It doesn’t necessarily hurt to get it done. But if you get it done, and
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ROUND ROCK EDITION • OCTOBER 2022
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