Breast cancer: Early detection is the best treatment

October is breast cancer awareness month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in New York. The Healthcare Education Project actively organizes free breast cancer screenings around New York State all year. Hundreds of women have gotten screened, some for the first time, many underinsured or uninsured. These free screenings are a result of legislation passed by Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature that makes breast cancer screenings free and widely available throughout the state.

These free screenings are organized with partners like the American-Italian Cancer Foundation and Mt. Sinai that operate mobile mammography vans. While appointments are made in advance, the number of walk-ins and the increasing number of women coming to these on-site screenings shows the great demand for such services in the state. In 2018, for example, 180 women were screened in North-West Queens alone, 52 of them for the first time.

The legislation has mandated that there will be one mobile mammography van in each county, or more than one if needed, and there will be more funding for existing mobile services.

Some quick facts about breast cancer:

• It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her life.
• The risk of getting breast cancer increases with age.
• While white women are more likely to get breast cancer than black women, black women are more likely to die from it.
• Early detection is crucial and is the best treatment. Get screened.
• Other ways to lower the chances of getting cancer are by knowing your family history of cancer and discussing it with your doctor, eating healthy and getting regular exercise and maintaining an optimal body weight.

To find out more about the free breast cancer screenings organized by HEP in your area, contact our organizers here.

To make an appointment to get screened:

Call 1-866-442-2262
Text GETSCREENED to 81336
Visit NYBREASTCANCERHELP.COM

The New York State Department of Health offers FREE breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening to eligible, uninsured and underinsured men and women through Cancer Services Program partnerships in every county and borough in New York State.

• Local providers will now offer weekend and evening screenings, thus making it more convenient for working women.
• The number of providers offering these services will increase. They include community and women’s health clinics.
• There will be a
• Local providers will carry out outreach efforts and programs.