Marion Countians will no longer have to journey to Hattiesburg, McComb or Jackson for breast cancer screenings. Marion General Hospital’s new mammography unit, the first in the county’s history, will be able to help with early detection for a county with the 14th highest morbidity rate in the state.
Marion General Hospital’s mammography unit is made by Hologic Selenia Dimensions and uses the newest 3D technology for advanced early detection. Marion County women have been forced to travel outside of the county and wait for months on end just for an appointment, likely leading to its high morbidity rate due to late detection, according to the National Cancer Institute of the NIH.
Marion County’s breast cancer rate is 34th highest in the state out of the 81 counties reporting, according to the National Cancer Institute, prompting MGH Administrator Tomaz McCarty and Forrest General Hospital — Marion General’s parent company — to act. 
“Breast cancer has a high prevalence in Marion County as far as cause of death,” McCarty explained, “so it was an initiative to put a mammography device in Marion County. Hattiesburg has one, but we want people in Marion County to get more accessible care for breast cancer detection. Marion County, Walthall County and Jeff Davis County can all benefit from this device.”
The first mammogram with the new device is scheduled for June 13, and the hospital is currently renovating that area of the hospital to make it as welcoming, convenient and efficient as possible. Marion General will also be hosting an Open House on June 19 at 5 p.m. to unveil the mammography device and department to the public.
In addition to the new device, Marion General has also hired a mammogram technician and a mammography coordinator to lead the department.
“The main thing is the earlier you catch it, you can avoid problems down the line. (Early detection) can help you live, and your state of health will be better,” McCarty said. “Early detection can solve a lot of problems, especially if it’s caught before it progresses to Stage 3 or Stage 4. That chemo they have to go through puts their body through a lot, and the older they are the harder it is to recover.
“I actually have two people in my family who had breast cancer and survived it, but it really took a toll on their body. That’s with catching it Stage 3 versus early detection where it can solve the issue before it spreads, before it gets worse.”
McCarty is also the president of Puttin’ on the Pink, a non-profit organization born out of Marion County Development Partnership’s Leadership program, that is devoted to assisting those with breast cancer in the county as well as survivors. Now, with the new device at Marion General, Puttin’ on the Pink will be raising funds to provide free breast cancer screenings to Marion County women.
Puttin’ on the Pink will be hosting a fundraiser June 10 at Kane’s Catfish Seafood & Steakhouse from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., which will include a live auction. The funds will also be used for baskets with a value of up to $600 that are donated to those fighting breast cancer and survivors.
To make an appointment for a screening, call (601) 740-2170. Screenings are usually covered by Medicare and most private insurers.
