Eureka, IL -- October 1, 2004 -- Are you a woman 35 or older living in Woodford County with no health insurance? The Woodford County Health Department is proud to offer the Illinois Breast and cervical cancer program. IBCCP provides free mammograms, breast exams, pap tests and cervical exams to Woodford County women who have no health insurance and meet age and income level guidelines.
According to Jill Hageman, a Health Educator from the Woodford County Health Department, Many uninsured women age 35 or older, right here in Woodford County dont get routine health screenings due to financial reasons. This program not only offers cancer screenings for eligible women but may cover treatment as well if detected through program participation. The IBCCP will really open doors for uninsured women with low incomes, but they have to be willing to make the call.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Illinois women. The number one risk factor for breast cancer is simply being female. Finding breast and cervical cancer early is the best defense. There are three basic methods for screening for breast cancer. Breast Self Exams (BSE) involve looking and feeling for any abnormal changes in the breast. BSE should be preformed monthly by the age of 20 at the same time each month. The second method is a clinical breast exam. This exam is preformed by a health care provider. Women should have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years between the ages of 20 and 39 and every year after 40. The last breast cancer screening method is a mammogram. A Mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast that may be able to detect a lump in its earliest stages, before it can be felt. All women over the age of 40 should receive a mammogram annually.
If you or someone you know may qualify, please call 309/467-3064 today to receive a friendly confidential screening. After all, early detection is the most powerful tool there is in fighting breast and cervical cancer.
