Roseland Hospital expands mammography facilities to improve breast cancer survival chances

CHICAGO - Roseland Hospital on Chicago's Far South Side celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by focusing on more than just raising awareness. They hosted a ribbon-cutting event to unveil new mammography facilities, including a mobile unit, aimed at improving the odds of survival for women in underserved communities.

The event highlighted the significance of early detection in increasing breast cancer survivability.

African American women face a 40 percent breast cancer mortality rate, the highest among any racial or ethnic group in the United States.

"It's wonderful that we have this call for action, so that we let everybody in our immediate community, to Roseland and on the South Side of Chicago, to start combating this disease and catch it early," said Angela Mclemore, Executive Assistant for state Sen. Mattie Hunter's Office.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, early detection of breast cancer in its localized stage leads to an impressive 99 percent five-year survival rate, while the survival rate remains at 91 percent for all stages of the disease.