ALDEN -- Jill Drinkwine doesn't have breast cancer, but she recently had a bad scare.
Drinkwine, 48, of Alden, who participates in an annual statewide breast and cervical cancer control program in Antrim County, said her initial mammogram last year came back with a blurry spot doctors found disconcerting.
"I was very panicked. I was very upset about it," she said.
The program -- designed for uninsured or under-insured women over 40 years, both above and below poverty levels -- paid for another screening and doctors subsequently cleared Drinkwine.
It wasn't her first year enrolled in the program. Drinkwine's participated the last several years as a general health precaution.
"My sister died of cancer and cancer is in our family. Both my mother and grandmother had cancer, too," Drinkwine said. "And I know of a few ladies who did have breast cancer, so it made me more aware of it."
Antrim County has the highest death rate for breast cancer in women among all Michigan counties, according to the National Cancer Institute. That's why it's important for women there to remain vigilant about breast cancer and take advantage of the free program, said Teresa Loudenslager, program coordinator with the Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency.
"The longer a woman puts off being screened, the more aggressive and advanced the cancer can be when it's found. Many put off diagnosis because they already worry about treatment costs," she said.
There's no hospital in Antrim County, so residents must travel to Traverse City, Kalkaska, Charlevoix, Petoskey or Gaylord for treatment, a potentially contributing factor to Antrim's death rate, Loudenslager said.
Annual donations from a nonprofit group called Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention boost the screening program. The group this year donated $69,000 and much of the money is used for outreach advertising and education programs in schools, libraries and other businesses.
Leftover money pays for post-diagnosis breast cancer treatment costs for participants, as well as mammograms at Munson Medical Center for Antrim County patients who do not qualify for the health department's program.
"When I became aware of the tremendous need in Antrim County ... I couldn't step away from the plate," said Dee Lynch, High Tea president. "Everybody has been touched by breast cancer in one way or another. It's a family member, a neighbor, a church member or somebody in the community they know."
The number of Antrim County women screened has grown from 22 in 2004 to 110 last year. The goal this year is 150, Loudenslager said.
A poster that details the program hangs at Higgins store in Alden, where Drinkwine works. She makes sure to point it out to women who come in, and hands out a phone number for the program every chance she gets, Drinkwine said.
"I do tell other women about it. I tell them if they don't have insurance, they need to do this," she said.
For more information
Call 1-800-432-4121 for more information about the Antrim County breast and cervical cancer control program and visit www.antrimcountyhightea.org for details about nonprofit group Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention, or to make a donation.
Women outside Antrim County should call their health department for information about the statewide program in their community.
