| January 9, 2009 | Contact: Margie Wachtel (603) 422-8208 x141 |
Free Women's Cancer Screenings Offered at Families First
PORTSMOUTH Families First Health and Support Center, the Seacoasts community health center, will offer free breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible women on January 21 and February 18, in the evening.
Space is limited, and appointments are needed. To make an appointment, call Jane Cummings, RN, at 603-422-8208 ext. 222.
To prevent avoidable deaths from breast cancer and cervical cancer, doctors recommend that all women have Pap smears and clinical breast exams annually, and that women over 40 also have a mammogram every year. For women who dont have access to these vital screenings, Families First Health and Support Center holds screening clinics approximately every two months. The clinics include Pap smears and breast exams, with referrals for free mammograms at a choice of mammography centers.
To be eligible for these screenings, a woman must be have no health insurance, or have health insurance with a high deductible; and meet household income guidelines for example, an annual income of no more than $26,000 for a single woman. Women who havent had a Pap or mammogram in more than three years are especially encouraged to come.
The screenings will be done by physician Kareen Worrell, DO, who volunteers at Families First, and Families First nurse practitioner Margot Kingston, ARNP. The cost of the tests is covered by the State of New Hampshires Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program.
Families First is a nonprofit agency offering a wide variety of free or affordable health care and family support services to individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay. For more information, call 603-422-8208 or visit www.FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.
