All this talk about mammography is wonderful, right? But if you lost your job this year or are self-employed without insurance, screenings for mammography might just not be in your budget. Well, there are a few sources out there for low-cost and no-cost mammography.
Susan G. Komen For the Cure partners with Oregon and Washington State to fund free screening programs for women who are over 40, uninsured/underinsured and have limited incomes; women under 40 with symptoms that may indicate breast cancer; and men of all ages with symptoms that may indicate breast cancer (Oregon only). To find out if you qualify and obtain an appointment, southwest Washington residents can call 1-800-992-1817. Oregon residents can call 1-877-255-7070.
Some state and local health programs and employers provide mammograms free or at low cost: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinates the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides screening clinical breast exams and mammograms to low-income women throughout the United States.
Go to http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/cancercontacts/nbccedp/contacts.asp or call 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636).
Washington State Department of Health also provides a list in the state for low-cost or free mammograms and cervical health screenings. Go to www.doh.wa.gov/wbchp/default.htm for a list of locations and contact information.
The National Cancer Institute also has information on low-cost or free mammography screening programs at Cancer Information Service, 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237).
AND, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will be sponsoring mammograms for eligible women Oct. 28 and 29th. Details will be available later next week.
~Amy
