GET SCREENED FOR BREAST CANCER: ERIE COUNTY CANCER SERVICES PROGRAM URGES WOMEN TO GET A MAMMOGRAM

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

ERIE COUNTY, NY — In coordination with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Erie County Cancer Services Program (CSP) is urging women to talk to their health care providers about scheduling their mammograms. The CSP helps uninsured and underinsured women get free mammograms.

“The current pandemic doesn’t change the fact that one in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Delays in screening can mean that some breast cancers go undetected at earlier stages, when there are more treatment options and the potential for better outcomes. Make a plan to get a mammogram scheduled.”

The CSP works with more than 50 health care providers to offer breast cancer screening to eligible women ages 40 and older without health insurance in Erie County. If any follow-up testing is needed, the CSP will provide those tests too. If cancer is found, the CSP will help enroll people who are eligible in the NYS Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program for full Medicaid coverage during treatment.

“The CSP is here as a visible and direct resource for uninsured and underinsured women who need breast cancer screening.” said Program Director Michelle Wysocki. “We are out at community events and available by phone for intake interviews and to answer questions about this program and eligibility.”

Call the CSP at (716) 858-7376 for more information about services and programs. In addition to breast cancer screening, the CSP provides cervical cancer screening to women ages 40 and older and colon cancer screening to men and women ages 50 and older. Some women and men should be tested at a younger age depending on their risk factors and any symptoms.

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• Erie County Cancer Services Program: www.erie.gov/cancerservices  

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