STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — During Breast Cancer Awareness Month pink ribbons are in all places reminding girls to get a mammogram. While these reminders are important, these with out health insurance battle to get an annual mammography, which is the most effective early detection software for breast most cancers.
For this motive, Cancer Services Program (CSP) of Staten Island presents free mammograms to eligible individuals age 40 and older who don’t have insurance or have excessive co-pays, in accordance with Barbara O’Brien, R.N. administrator for CSP of Staten Island.
Mammograms are beneficial yearly for individuals age 40 and older and at common danger for breast most cancers.
“It’s very important to stick to this schedule [a yearly mammogram] or to the schedule your doctor recommends. A mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer early when treatment is most successful,” mentioned O’Brien.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in each eight girls will develop breast most cancers of their lifetime.
In 2022, an estimated 287,500 new instances of invasive breast most cancers might be recognized in girls within the U.S. in addition to 51,400 new instances of non-invasive breast most cancers, in accordance with the National Breast Cancer Foundation. A complete of 65% of breast most cancers instances are recognized at a localized stage — the place there isn’t any signal that the most cancers has unfold exterior of the breast — for which the 5-year relative survival fee is 99%, says the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
According to information from the 2020 New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, about 82% of females, ages 50 to 74, have been screened for breast most cancers inside the previous two years, she mentioned.
“This is a very good overall screening percentage. But screening is much lower for women who don’t have health insurance or a regular health care provider,” mentioned O’Brien.
The CSP additionally presents free cervical and colorectal most cancers screening. Call (718) 226-6447 to search out out extra.
FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER
