October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Medical school’s breast and cervical cancer screenings available in Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan and Perry Counties

What: Free and reduced-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings by  Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Area Health Education Center

Where: Six locations throughout Southeastern Ohio

When: Throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Who:  Women in need of breast and cervical health information and services

Why: To raise awareness about these cancers and combat missed diagnosis

ATHENS, Ohio – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined. However, there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams at regular intervals.

“Our hope is that women age 40 and older will continue to take advantage of early detection methods- mammography plus clinical breast exam- in an effort to decrease the number of breast cancer related deaths.” said Carrie Johnson, RN, nurse coordinator of the OU-HCOM Breast and Cervical Program. “The key to mammography screening is that it be done routinely – once is not enough.”

Johnson explained that many women can miss that life-saving early diagnosis by making an incorrect self-diagnosis or skipping a screening altogether.

In an effort to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancers and promote their early diagnosis, OU-HCOM will provide free and reduced-cost screenings and information throughout southeastern Ohio in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As part of an ongoing series of health screenings by the college’s Community Health Programs and the Area Health Education Center, OU-HCOM will provide free and reduced-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings at six locations in southeast Ohio during October.

The breast and cervical cancer screenings aim to help women who are uninsured or underinsured, middle-aged or older, and especially those who have a family history of cancer. These women are usually at a higher risk of developing breast cancer but often cannot find an easy or inexpensive way to be tested.

The Columbus affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer education, research and health services, provides major funding for the screenings. In addition, support is provided by the Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Project. The screening on Oct. 18 in Tuppers Plains will be part of “Women’s Health Day,” and will include support from the Ohio State University and the Meigs County “Think Pink” program.

For information or eligibility requirements, call toll-free 1-800-844-2654. Screenings during October will be held on the following dates and locations: 

·         Oct. 4, 9 a.m.to 3 p.m., Old M&M School parking lot, McConnelsville 

·         Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Athens County – OU-HCOM Community Clinic Grosvenor West 

·         Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., United Methodist Church, Tuppers Plains 

·         Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Woodsfield Church of Christ, Woodsfield 

·         Oct. 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hocking County – Hocking Valley Community Hospital, Logan 

·         Oct. 26, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Perry County – Perry County Senior Center, New Lexington

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Contact: Karoline Lane, director of communication, (740) 593-2261, lanek@ohio.edu.