Mega Doctor News
EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is celebrating Breast Cancer awareness month by focusing on reducing the number of deaths and new cases of breast cancer in the community.
The department’s Medicaid Waiver Program, in partnership with the Rio Grande Cancer Foundation and other partners, are providing a Free Pink Pop-Up Event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, at 616 N. Virginia St.
This event is aimed at educating the public on the importance of breast cancer screenings, early detection and reducing the rate of breast cancer diagnosis. Residents can get free COVID-19 vaccines, free flu vaccines and the first 200 people to register can get free mammograms. To register for a free mammogram, call (915) 577-0100 to make an appointment.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
Residents can help lower their risk of breast cancer by taking care of their health in different ways such as:
Knowing Your “Normal”
Pay attention to changes in your breasts and know how your breasts normally look and feel like. If something looks or feels different, call your doctor right away.
Get Screened
Regular screenings are the best way to help prevent invasive breast cancer. When breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 90 percent. Early detection includes performing breast self-exams every month and scheduling regular clinical mammograms.
Public Health officials encourage women of all ages to perform monthly breast self-exams and for women ages 50-74 to schedule regular mammograms in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Medicaid Waiver Program assists with providing free breast cancer screenings for women who are:
· 50 to 74 years old
· Uninsured/Underinsured, Medicaid recipients
· Have not had a mammogram in the past two years
For more information visit EPHealth.com, click on the Medicaid Waiver Tab or call (915) 212-6644.
