Celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month With A Mammogram
Posted on Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
You’ll find numerous groups who are sponsoring free and low cost mammograms waiting by the phone lines to make appointments. But, no matter how much these groups promote their programs for breast health, there are still women who, for one reason or another, fall behind in their mammograms, missing one of the most crucial tools in breast health.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) describes the three most widely used methods for detecting changes in breast tissue that may signal further examination, and they state their recommendation pretty clearly here:
“Mammogram: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are age 40 years or older, be sure to have a screening mammogram every one to two years.
Clinical breast exam: A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes.
Breast self-exam: A breast self-exam is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts or underarm (armpit).
Which tests to choose: Having a clinical breast exam or a breast self-exam have not been found to decrease risk of dying from breast cancer. Keep in mind that, at this time, the best way to find breast cancer is with a mammogram. If you choose to have clinical breast exams and to perform breast self-exams, be sure you also get regular mammograms.”
I guess that means even if you are dedicated to regular breast self-exams or even clinical breast exams, you also MUST have a mammogram to ensure that you are taking care of your breast health.
No matter what statistics say, no matter how much they prove that breast cancer can be fought successfully when detected early, it doesn’t really matter if we’re not listening. When a woman discovers a lump in her breast, all the statistics in the world really don’t matter. It becomes a personal battle – you against the odds. Don’t you want the odds to be on your side? I know I do.
I will admit I was among the many women who ignored her breast health because I thought I couldn’t afford a mammogram. Yes, I’m one of those “uninsurable” people. As an over 50 year old woman, I am considered a “walking pre-existing condition.” After reading a story about a woman in my hometown and her courageous battle against breast cancer, I started investigating how women who don’t have insurance coverage for mammograms can get the test done.
With one simple call to a local hospital, I found out that many hospitals in my area were offering free mammograms during the month of October. All I had to do was call during October and set up the appointment for any time. I was also informed that our county has a public health department that offers free mammograms to women who meet certain income requirements.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, check these resources out before another October goes by. Make a call to your local hospital for information on programs they may be offering. Call your state or local health department, and go online to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Cancer Society, for information regarding free or low cost mammograms. Be sure to also go online to get information from the NBCAM and Susan G. Komen for the Cure websites. Armed with information and resources, you CAN get that mammogram this year!
As we know, early detection is crucial to successful treatment. Don’t let another October go by without scheduling your mammogram. I want you to be here for a long, long time, sharing your life for many years to come with all us future “Remarkable Wrinklies.”
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Thanks Pattie for great info that every woman needs to know. I didn’t know about the free exams! Probably most don’t. Thanks girlfriend.
God Bless,
Celene Harrelson
Amazing, isn’t it?! Even if you have to pay out of pocket, the prices are often negotiable, based on income, etc. Pretty cool, eh? The reason a person would want to go through the State or County programs if available is because then follow up care would also be provided if anything shows up on mammogram. Good to know. 😀
This is such an important article. Thanks for spreading the word about free mammograms as well as the wonderful resources for uninsured or underinsured women. You are a true champion for awareness and health!
Thanks Eileen! I struggled for quite a few years trying to afford a mammogram without insurance. When I found these resources and discovered that it’s EASY to get a mammogram even without insurance, I really needed to spread the word. Not enough women know about these programs. Like me, many women think “well, I can’t get a mammogram because I don’t have insurance or I can’t afford it.” WRONG!
Again, thanks Eileen for taking the time to read my blog and commenting. You are a great resource yourself for all things we face on the “feisty side of fifty”!!!! 🙂 Everyone reading this… please take time to visit Eileen’s website by clicking on her name on the comment or going to this address: http://feistysideoffifty.com/
I don’t have any insurance, how do I go about having a low cost mammogram? I was due to have it this year in February. Thank you very much.
Dnah – click on the links in the blog post for more information about obtaining free or low cost mammograms. However, if you are not living in the United States, there are other options that are very specific to your region. The main thing is to start looking. Don’t assume you can’t get a mammogram because you haven’t any insurance.
Thank you for the information. I am without health insurance and have been for 2 1/2 years. I have been putting it off but now I am going to call around and get it done. Thank you again for the information. I will pass it on to friends.
I’m so glad you found this information, Eileen. I, too, went too many years without getting a mammogram simply because I lacked insurance and I didn’t know what to do. These programs are so important! Of course, the funding is always dicey, so you’ve got to jump on it fast AND be persistent. My last mammogram cost me a few dollars (wasn’t totally free) but the thing is, IF they had found something that needed treatment, THAT would have been taken care of for an income-adjusted fee. I wouldn’t have been in the hospital or treatment center totally on my own with no idea how I was going to pay for anything.
Again, Eileen, I’m so glad you found this information here. I’m also glad you stopped in to comment. And, yes, PLEASE pass this information onto your friends! THANK YOU!
Thanks for putting together all this important information. I’m going to share it — every woman should have access to mammograms and other lifesaving services.
Thank you, Lois, for stopping by to read and comment. And, yes, I do believe we all should have access to the health care we need. I should do a follow-up (more current) post on this subject since things have changed in the health insurance market. I guess I’ll have to do some studying and find out how the ACA will affect programs available for low cost and no cost mammograms, and if that’s still the way to go. I haven’t taken the time yet to go on the exchange site to see what happens, but I will soon. I’ll report back…
Oh, and I clicked on your website and laughed my butt off! Who knew cleaning out one’s clothes closet could also be used as a therapy session? Ha! Ok… I am way overdue to purge my clothes. I suspect there will be some other purging going on, as well. Gulp. You have inspired me to go ahead and do a little ‘deep dive’ into my closet AND what will probably be a painful psychoanalysis. I’ll report back on that too…
Thank you again, Lois. It was truly a pleasure meeting you here in the blogosphere!