The week of May 8 – 14 is Women’s Health Week. National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. This is a week for women to focus on taking care of their health and making it a top priority in their life. The theme for 2011 is “It’s your time.” Women often serve as the caregivers of their families and put the needs of others before their own. The Onondaga County Cancer Services Program Partnership would like to remind uninsured women over the age of 40 that free breast exams, mammograms, and Pap tests are available by calling 435-3653. For uninsured women over the age of 50, an at-home colorectal cancer screening kit is also available. Routine screenings are an important step in lowering a woman’s risk of developing breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer in her lifetime and early detection has proven to save lives. As a community, it is our responsibility to support women and help them take steps towards a healthier life.

Women’s Health Week is an optimal time to remember that breast and cervical cancers require routine screenings as women have a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime  and each year approximately 12,000 women in the U.S. develop cervical cancer.   Factors such as age and family history can increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer and cervical cancer occurs most often in women age 30 and older. ƒz  Colorectal cancer also requires routine screening as there are approximately 250 cases diagnosed in Onondaga County each year.   Factors such as age and a personal or family history of colorectal polyps can increase a woman’s chances of developing colorectal cancer.

Studies show that the uninsured are less likely to seek preventative medical care than the insured. During Women’s Health Week, the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program Partnership would like to encourage uninsured women of Onondaga County to put their health first and call 435-3653 to schedule their free breast exam, mammogram, Pap test, and colorectal cancer screening. Call today!

1.  American Cancer Society, “Breast Cancer Overview”, 2010, http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/OverviewGuide/breast-cancer-overview-key-statistics.
2.  Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Cervical Cancer”, 2010, http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/index.htm.
3.  Center for Disease Control (CDC). “Breast Cancer”. 2011, http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm.
4.  Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Cervical Cancer”, 2010, http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/index.htm.
5.  New York State Department of Health, New York State Cancer Registry, Cancer Incidence and Mortality by County and Gender, 2003-2007, Onondaga County, http://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/cancer/registry/pdf/volume1.pdf.
6.  Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer”, 2010, http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/index.htm.