Free mammograms are available for women who qualify between the ages of 40 and 64 who live in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Carroll Counties.
The American Cancer Society B.E.S.T. (Breast Education Screening Together) Program has extended the age guidelines to better serve the needs of women who are underinsured or who have no insurance coverage. Under the BEST program, screening and diagnostic mammograms are paid with no co-payment or out of pocket expense.
"We recently received the news from The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Northeast Ohio Affiliate to extend the cut off age from age 49, to age 64," said Debbie Moore, Health Promotions Coordinator for the American Cancer Society. "This allows hundreds of women in the four counties who can't afford a mammogram the opportunity to get screened for free for breast cancer."
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Northeast Ohio Affiliate funds the BEST program. The ACS received a grant for BEST in the amount of $71,000. This grant will pay for 400 mammograms. Medicare covers mammograms for women 65 and older.
A determination on who qualifies depends on the income of the woman, according to the 2003 federal poverty guidelines – the most recent data available.
The American Cancer Society recommends every woman follow a three-step approach to protect herself against breast cancer. This includes:
Mammography
Annual mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early.
Have a mammogram annually if you are age 40 and older.
If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, discuss a personal mammography-screening schedule with a health care provider.
Clinical Breast Examination
After age 40, get a clinical breast exam by a health care provider every year.
Between the ages of 20 and 39, have a clinical breast exam by a health care provider at least once every three years.
Breast Self Exam
Ask a health care provider to teach you the proper way to perform a thorough breast self-exam.
Beginning at age 20, examine your breasts monthly. If there are any lumps, thickenings or changes, report them to your doctor immediately. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but further tests may be necessary to determine your situation.
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