Local Women Are Reminded:  October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
 
(Queens, N.Y.) On Monday, September 27, NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., sponsored a free Mobile Mammography Van at Community Board 6, 73-05 Yellowstone Blvd., Forest Hills. Twenty-two women signed up for no-cost mammogram screenings for cancer. This was the sixth free mammography event the Senator coordinated with the American Italian Cancer Foundation for women in his district since October 2008.  

“We know that early detection of breast cancer can save lives. Once again, I worked with the American-Italian Cancer Foundation to bring their Mammogram Van to my district, offering free, vital health care services for women with insurance ages 40+, and for women ages 50+ with no health insurance. For uninsured women, services will be paid by the Screening Partnerships of the New York State Cancer Services Program or through generous contributions by the American-Italian Cancer Foundation’s donors. For insured women, their insurance carriers were billed for services. However, even insured women were not charged a co-payment and will not receive a bill,” said Senator Addabbo. On the day of the Mammogram Van visit, women with Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance had to bring their membership card.  For more details about the NYS CSP, call 866-442-CANCER (2262).
 
In addition to a mammogram performed by a certified, licensed mammography technologist, professional medical services from Multi-Diagnostic Services, Inc. (MDS) included:

• clinical breast exam and instruction in breast self-exam by a trained professional
• radiological interpretations performed by Board Certified Radiologists
• results sent to each woman and/or her doctor within 10 business days (please provide MDS with full name, address to send results to the doctor)
• If MDS had previous mammogram films, a comparison radiological study was  done, which in some cases eliminated the need for additional testing.

For more information about MDS, please call 800-453-TEST (8378).
 
Senator Addabbo adds, “I want to thank all the generous donors who have funded the American-Italian Cancer Foundation’s Mobile Mammography Program:  Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund, National Breast Cancer Foundation, New York City Council, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, The Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, and the New York State Department of Health.”