When was your last mammogram? On October 19th celebrate National Mammography Day by scheduling your mammogram! Women between the ages of 40 and 64 who do not have health insurance may qualify for a free breast exam, mammogram, and Pap test through the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP). If you are an uninsured woman ages 40 to 64, call 435-3653 today!

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer (after skin cancer) detected among women in the United States. The chance of a woman developing breast cancer in her lifetime is a little less than 1 in 8. Routine screenings are an important step in the early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer.

All women are at risk for breast cancer, but as women grow older their risk increases. Besides age, there are many other factors that may increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. Some of these factors include having a family history of breast cancer, having inherited changes on specific genes such as the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, never having had children, or having a first child after the age of 30. Breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its early stages, however as it progresses symptoms may include:
„X a lump or thickening in the breast
„X pain in the breast or the nipple
„X nipple discharge
„X dimpling of the breast skin
„X flaky, red, or swollen skin anywhere on the breast.

Screening for breast cancer includes a clinical breast exam and a mammogram. A clinical breast exam is an exam of a woman’s breasts by a healthcare provider that allows him/her to feel for any lumps or abnormalities. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast.

The CSP also offers free colorectal cancer screening for eligible men and women ages 50 to 64 who do not have health insurance. These services are available at private health care provider offices throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County. Please call 435-3653 today to see if you qualify!