Highland Breast Imaging Center Offers Free Mammograms Oct. 8
September 08, 2011
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Highland Breast Imaging Center is encouraging women to get their annual breast cancer screening. In conjunction with the Breast Cancer Coalition and the Cancer Services Program of Monroe County, the Center will be offering free mammograms to women 40 and older who do not have health insurance or health insurance that covers mammograms.
The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 8, at 500 Red Creek Drive, Suite 130. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (585) 487-3300.
The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is a little less than 1 in 8 (12 percent), according to the American Cancer Society. Avice M. O’Connell, M.D., F.A.C.R., Director of the Breast Imaging Center, says early detection offers the best chance at survival of breast cancer and can prevent the need for more invasive, more aggressive medical treatment.
"We want to encourage women to be aware of their breasts, no matter their age," Dr. O’Connell said. "This disease has many treatment options, so women need to understand their risk and continue routine screenings beginning at age 40. If they are at higher risk, mammograms need to start even sooner."
The Highland Breast Imaging Center has been offering free mammograms for the past seven years and has served close to a thousand women who may not have been screened otherwise.
Parking is free and refreshments will be provided at the event. A Reiki practitioner will be on hand to provide free 10-minute sessions to women after their screening. Women who cannot make the screening are encouraged to schedule an appointment for a different day.