Breast Cancer---for too many of us, those words have become personal. According to BreastCancer.org, one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. It is the second most common kind of cancer in women. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat.
Non-invasive cancers stay within the milk ducts of the breasts. It has not grown into normal tissues or moved beyond the breast. Invasive cancer is cancer that has spread into normal, healthy tissues. If cancer is detected before it has moved to healthy tissue, it is much easier to treat. Early detection can save your life or the life of your sister or friends.
In June 2004 the American Cancer Society published a study . They followed over 72,000 women for 10 years. They found only 6 percent of these women had been getting annual mammograms. Physicians remind their female patients over 40 years of age to have annual mammograms so if you are over 40, get yourself checked. All women should be doing a monthly self-check. If you find anything usual, get checked out immediately. Women can get breast cancer in their twenties and thirties.
October is national breast cancer awareness month. Many facilities offer free/low cost mammograms during this month. Make it a priority to get a mammogram today. When you call the clinic, ask if they actually provide mammograms on-site- not just manual breast exams.
Here are some resources for you:
Free/Reduced Cost Mammogram Resources.
Select your state to find mammogram resources in your area. If not specifically noted, there are age, insurance, or income eligibility restrictions. Look through the list or begin at the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program site. Find out if you qualify.
Alabama
Joy to Life 1-334-284-LIFE (5433)ABCCEDP (by Alabama DOH) 1-877-252-3324Valley Imaging
Alaska
Breast Cancer Detection Center 1-800-464-4577Alaska Breast & Cervical Health Check Program 1-800-410-6266YWCA of Anchorage ENCOREplus Program
American Samoa
BCCEDP (by DOH): 011 (684) 633-2135
Arizona
Cancer Matters ReferralsWell Woman HealthCheck Program 1-888-257-8502
Arkansas
BreastCareEncore for Women’s Health For women under 40Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks
California
Alta Bates Summit Medical CenterBay Area Medical CenterBreast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program (LA County)Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Services (San Francisco)Cancer Matters Referrals (Los Angeles)Every Woman Counts (California Department Of Health): 1-800-511-2300Desert Cancer FoundationLatina Breast Cancer AgencyLinks For Life- for women under 40
Colorado
Banner Health Sterling Regional MedCenterBosom Buddies of Southwestern ColoradoWomen’s Wellness Connection (Colorado Department Of Health): 1-866-951-WELL
Connecticut
Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (Connecticut DPH): 1-(860) 509-8309
Delaware
Screening for Life (Delaware DPH) 1-(302) 744-1040Delaware Breast Cancer CoalitionMobile mammography
Florida
Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Program (by CDC)Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer FoundationAidpage Referrals (Central Florida)Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach Referrals
Georgia
Cancer Matters ReferralsHealth InitiativeGeorgia Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (Georgia DPH) 1-404-657-7735
Guam
Guam Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program 1-(671) 735-0671
Hawaii
Hawaii Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (Hawaii Department Of Health) 1-(808) 692-7480
Idaho
Women’s Health Check (Idaho DHW) 1-(208) 332-7311West Valley Medical Center (by Tough Enough for Pink)Operation Pink Bag
Illinois
Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (Illinois DPH) 1-(217) 785-1050
Metropolitan Chicago Breast Cancer Task Force Referrals
St. Luke’sBlessing Hospital (Brown, Pike Counties)
McLaren’s BRAvo for WomenYes Ma’am Breast Screening Project
Minnesota
SAGE Screening Program (Minnesota DOH) 1-(888)-6-HEALTH
Mississippi
Mississippi Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program 1-(601) 576-7466
Baptist Health Systems Flat fee ($180)
Missouri
Breast Cancer Foundation of the OzarksJefferson Regional Medical CenterMissouri Baptist Medical Center Mobile mammography
Show Me Healthy Women (Missouri DOH)Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Montana
Billings Clinic Ages 35-50
Cancer Screening Services Program (Montana DOH)Montana Disability and Health Program’s Mammography DirectoryOther grant recipientsSt. Vincent Healthcare
Save a Sister (Kalispell Regional Healthcare, North Valley Hospital, and Flat-head City County Dept.) 1-877-399-0384
Nebraska
Every Woman Matters Program (Nebraska DHHS) 1-(402) 471-0314
Breast Cancer Control Program Referrals
Nevada
Women’s Health Connection (Nevada DHHS)1-(775) 684-5926
Nevada Health Centers Mammovan
New Hampshire
Let No Woman Be Overlooked Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (New Hampshire DHHS)1-(800) 852-3345
New Jersey
New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program1-(609) 292-8540
Jewish Family and Children’s ServiceBarnabas Health’s Reach Out for Life: Somebody Needs YouAmy Feiman Behar FoundationS.A.V.E. Women and Men Project Mobile mammography
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Mexico
New Mexico Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (New Mexico DOH) 1-(877) 852-2585
Anita Salas Memorial Fund
YWCA EncorePlus Program
New York
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s BeSMART!Cancer Services Program (New York State)1-(518) 474-1222
Breast Treatment Task Force 1-(866) 515-2883
North Fork Breast Health Coalition
North Carolina
North Carolina Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program (North Carolina DPH) 1-(919) 707-5300
Mammograms for Life! 1-(252)-459-9819
North Dakota
Women’s Way Program (North Dakota DOH):
Ohio
Breast and Cervical Cancer Project (Ohio DOH) 1-(614) 466-2144
Jewish Hospital’s Mobile Mammography 1-(513) 686-3300
University Hospitals Conneaut Medical CenterCleveland Clinic’s HOPE Program (by National Breast Cancer Foundation)Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography Program in partnership with Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center & the Breast Diagnostic Center260-483-1847
Oklahoma
Breast Cancer Foundation of the OzarksTake Charge! (Oklahoma DOH)1-(405) 271-4072
Kaw Women’s Health Program For Native American women Ages 18-64
Oklahoma Project WomanOklahoma University Medicine
Oregon
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening (Oregon DOH)YWCA’s Encoreplus 1-(503) 581- 9922
Pennsylvania
Healthy Woman (by Pennsylvania DOH) 1-(800) 215-7494
Linda Creed 1-(888) CREED-4-U
Puerto Rico
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program1-(787) 772-8300
Rhode Island
Women’s Cancer Screening Program (Rhode Island DOH) 1-(401) 222-1171
South Carolina
Best Chance Network (South Carolina DOHEC) 1-(803) 545-4145
Medical University of South CarolinaLexington Medical CenterProject C.U.R.E. at Stanly Regional Medical Center
South Dakota
All Women Count! (South Dakota DOH)1-(605) 773-5728
Cancer Early Detection Program For Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe women 1-(605) 964-3010
Tennessee
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program1-(877) 969- 6636
St. Thomas Health’s Our Mission in Motion
Middle Tennessee counties 1-(615) 284-6266
Texas
Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (Texas DOH) 1-(512) 458-7796
The Rose Mobile and on-site mammography
Julie Rogers Gift of Life Free Mammogram Program 1-(409) 860-3369
Community Action, Inc. of Central TexasFor Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, and Williamson counties
Seton Healthcare FamilyMobile mammographyUniversity of Texas School of Nursing’s Family Wellness Center’s Women’s Wellness Program.
Help for women younger than 40 and referred by other service providers
El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission Una Decision Inteligente
Utah
Utah Cancer Control Program (Utah DOH) 1-(800) 717-1811
Mountains for MammogramsGreater Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Breast Cancer Prevention Program
Vermont
Ladies First (by Vermont DHHS)1-(802) 863-7331
Virginia
Every Woman’s Life (Virginia DOH)1-(804) 864-8204
Washington
Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program (Washington DOH) 1-(360) 236-3672
West Virginia
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening (Virginia DHHS) 1-(304) 558-5388
Bonnie’s Bus Mobile mammography
Wisconsin
Well Woman Program (Wisconsin DPH) 1-(608) 266-8311
Bellin Health For women under 50
A Silver Lining Foundation (312) 345-1322
Wyoming
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (Wyoming PHSF)1-(307) 777-6006
WY Women FirstMobile mammography to rural Wyoming
BlueCross BlueShield of Wyoming’s Caring for Women Program
National Resources:
Avon Breast Health Outreach ProgramNational Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)National Cancer Institute 1-(800)-4-CANCER
American Breast Cancer Foundation’s Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program: 1-(877) 539-2543
American Breast Cancer Foundation Provides funding for medical clinics in metropolitan areas for low cost mammograms 1-(877) 539-2543
Medicare 1-(800)- MEDICARE
Right Action for Women (by Christina Applegate)Sisters Network Inc. In 17 states For African American women
Patient Services, Inc. For women with family history or genetic predisposition
U.S. Food & Drug AdministrationSisters Network Inc.’s Breast Cancer Assistance Program For African American women Have chapters in CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MD, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NY, OH, SC, TN, VA, WI