Breast Cancer Prevention  

In the United States, it is customary for women over the age of forty to receive annual mammograms for early detection of breast cancer.  In Lithuania, many women have not yet received a single mammogram.  For many years, access to free mammograms was limited to women who were referred by a physician or were over the age of 50.  Otherwise, women were charged approximately 50 LTL ($19 US), (monthly minimum wage, 300-500 LTL) for the procedure at public clinics or 100 to 1,000 LTL in private diagnostic centers.  In 2007, Lithuania’s health care system began to provide free mammograms to all women between 49 and 60 years of age.  Nevertheless, women in small towns and rural areas often lack transportation to mammography facilities that provide free testing.   

LML Annual Mammogram Program  

Without education and timely screening, Lithuania’s survival statistics were dismal with as many as one in two women tested dying from the disease.  LML first responded by distributing pamphlets promoting early screening.  Next, LML initiated an annual free screening program in 2003.  LML coordinates free transportation, courtesy of the local governments, to bring women from smaller towns and rural areas to oncology centers in Vilnius, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevežys and Kaunas.  Special provisions are made to accommodate women with disabilities. From 2003-2008 this project provided screening mammograms to over 1,300 women annually, diagnosing several women in time for life-saving treatment.  To date, this program reached over 7,800 disadvantaged women across Lithuania from these cities, districts and surrounding regions:

Adomynė,  Akmenė, Anykščiai, Ariogala, Avižėnai,Avižų, Babtai, Balsiai, Biržai, Daugiliškis, Dambrava, Didžašalis,  Didžioji Riešė, Diliauskai, Dolmenkava, Dominikova, Eišiškė, Elektrėnai Ežerskė, Garliava, Gipiškaičiai, Griešiai, Grigiškė, Jonava, Joniškis, Jurbarkas,  Kaišiadorys, Kalneliškis, Kaunas, Kėdainiai, Kelmė, Klaipėda, Kretinga, Krinčinas, Kudirkos Naujmiestis, Kupiškis, Lazdijas, Lentvaris, Maišiagala Makiškėliai, Mariampolė, Mažeikiai, Meškaliauskio kaim., Molainiai, Molėtai, Naujoji Akmenė, Nemenčinė, Neringa, Nureonys, Paberžė, Pakruojis, Palanga, Pandelys, Panevėžys, Pasvalys, Paupėniai, Plungė, Prienai, Radviliškis, Ramygala, Raseiniai, Raubonys, Raudondvario, Rokiškis, Šakiai, Šakių Šilalė, Salačkonys, Šalčininkai, Saločiai, Saločkoniai, Šiauliai, Šilainiai, Šilalė, Šilutė, Širvinta, Skaidiškės, Skuoda, Švenčionys, Švenčionėliai, Tauragė, Telšiai, Ukmergė, Utena, Vaišvydava, Vilnius, Vilkaviškis, Visaginis, Vistyčiai, Žibartoniai, Žilpamušis, Zujūnai, and many small neighboring villa

LML’s initiative inspired other similar outreach programs such as Avon’s breast cancer programs and Nedelsk! (Don’t Delay!) to also travel widely across Lithuania’s countryside to thirty-one towns and villages, supported by our active participation.   

Recognizing the lack of adequate healthcare access among recently immigrated Lithuanian women in Chicago, LML arranged for the Cook County Mammogram bus to provide free testing and screening at the Balzekas Museum in Chicago.  

2008 SPA Day Fundraiser 

Plans are underway to continue the program in May 2009 by screening approximately 1,300 more disadvantaged women across Lithuania.  The Revive Spa in New Buffalo, Michigan will host the third annual SPA day on October 19, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.  Gitana Puskunige and her staff will volunteer their services; the proceeds will be donated to support this cause.  The SPA menu will feature a variety of 30 minute services for women and men including:

MANICURE - $25, PEDICURE - $30, MASSAGE - $40, REFLEXOLOGY - $45 and FACIAL - $50.  Combination services are also available. Insert flyer.  The refreshments and wine tasting will make this an enjoyable way to support this worthy cause.  Reservations are recommended. Please call 269-469-9111 or email therevivespa@hotmail.com. For more information, see www.therevivespa.com.