Senator Onorato Urges Local Women in Need of Breast Cancer Screening to Look into No-Cost Mammogram Event

News From

New York State Senator George Onorato

FOR RELEASE:  May 4, 2010
CONTACT:  Janet K. Kash  (518)455-3486  kash@senate.state.ny.us

SENATOR ONORATO URGES LOCAL WOMEN IN NEED OF BREAST CANCER SCREENING TO LOOK INTO NO-COST MAMMOGRAM EVENT

American-Italian Cancer Foundation and Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House are Sponsoring Mobile Mammography Van Program on May 20

        State Senator George Onorato (D-Queens) today urged local women who are in need of breast cancer screening to be aware that the American-Italian Cancer Foundation mobile mammography van will be visiting the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House on May 20th to provide no-cost mammograms to eligible women 40 and older.

        “This is a wonderful collaboration between the American-Italian Cancer Foundation and the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House to help safeguard the health of women who have had limited access to breast health care,” said Senator Onorato, noting that Multi-Diagnostic Services, Inc. is providing the screening services. “I urge all local women who might be eligible to participate in this screening to call right away for an appointment, which is required, and for more information.”  The number to call is 1-718-784-7447, extension 154. 

        The Mobile Mammography Van will be at the Settlement House, located at 1025 41st Avenue in Long Island City, on Thursday, May 20th, beginning at 11 a.m. An appointment is necessary to schedule a screening.  Eligible women must be 40 years of age or older, New York City residents, and must not have had a mammogram in the past 12 months. 

        For eligible women without health insurance, services will be paid for by the Screening Partnerships of the New York State Cancer Services Program or through donations made to the American-Italian Cancer Foundation.  For women who have health insurance, the insurance plan will be billed for the services, but participants will not be charged a co-payment or receive a bill.  Women with Medicare, Medicaid or other insurance must bring their cards with them in order to receive services. 

        “This is a great opportunity for local women to take proactive steps to take control of their own health care and receive screening for breast cancer, which is more easily treatable and curable if discovered in its early stages,” said Senator Onorato.  “I hope eligible women in my district will make the call: there is nothing to lose and a great deal to gain.”

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