FREE Cancer Screening June 28th in Johnstown

SCHENECTADY, NY (06/22/2010)(readMedia)-- Good news. Women in Fulton County can get FREE cancer screening right in their community on Monday, June 28th. In cooperation with Planned Parenthood, The Cancer Services Program of Fulton and Montgomery Counties is offering free breast exams and mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap tests for uninsured women ages 40-64, as well as colorectal cancer screenings kits for women and men age 50-64. Younger women with a family history of breast cancer may also qualify for free diagnostic services.

This cancer screening event takes place in Johnstown at the Planned Parenthood health center located at 400 North Perry Street. All services are strictly confidential and provided by health care professionals. The breast and pelvic exams, and Pap tests will be provided in the Planned Parenthood health center. The mammograms will be provided in Bassett Healthcare's Mobile Mammography unit (in the Planned Parenthood private parking lot).

How to Register

You must pre-register for the June 28th event. Call 841.3726 by Thursday, June 24th to pre-register.

These free services event are for uninsured individuals only. If you have Medicaid, Medicare or other insurance, you do not qualify for this program.

It's free. It's easy. It's important.

Early Detection

Mammograms can find cancers too small to be felt. Breast cancer has the highest chance of being cured when it is found in the very early stages. Having regular breast exams and mammograms can lower the risk of death from breast cancer.

Cervical screenings are important because cervical cancer is common in women. It is also one of the easiest cancers to find and treat in the very early stages. Early treatment can prevent the change of cells in the cervix, provides detection of any changes, and the pelvic exam and pap test can detect these changes.

Screening is especially important in colon cancer because most colon cancers develop from polyps that start out small and harmless but grow slowly and change into cancer. Colon cancer often has no special symptoms in its early stage, and it affects men and women in equal numbers.

For cancer statistics, additional information and services provided by the The Cancer Services Program of Fulton and Montgomery Counties, please contact Suzanne E. Hagadorn at 518.841.3726.