Free Breast Cancer Screenings For Brooklyn Residents

BROOKLYN, NY (10/29/18) – In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, State Senator Kevin Parker in partnership with NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai Health System, and The Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center, hosted a series of free breast cancer screening across the 21st Senate District. With breast cancer being the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of death among women in the U.S., the “Free Mammography Clinics” afforded community residents with the early detection that can make all the difference in combating the disease.  

"Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is important that we continue to advance initiatives throughout the year that support early detection and diagnosis,” stated Senator Parker. He continued, “I am extremely grateful to the event sponsors and support groups that helped facilitate the essential and potentially lifesaving free mammography clinics for community residents.”

Dr. Laurie Margolies, System Chief of Breast Imaging at Mount Sinai Health System and Professor of Radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, left the breast cancer screening clinics more enthusiastic than when she arrived because of the large turnout of women: “I want to thank Senator Parker and his staff for their commitment to women's health and inviting Mount Sinai to participate at the event. Mount Sinai's mobile mammography program is made possible through the support of Health Research Inc. and the New York State Department of Health with the goal to help women understand the benefits of mammographic screening and early detection. Encouraging women to participate in screenings right in their communities is a pivotal goal of the Mount Sinai mobile mammography program, and Senator Parker’s mammography clinics afforded us the opportunity to do just that.”

Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, NYU Langone Health Associate Professor of Surgery stated, “On behalf of the NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center and The Beatrice W. Welters Breast Health Outreach and Navigation Program, we sincerely thank State Senator Kevin Parker for his generous support of the October mammography screening initiative. Higher mortality rates among African-American women persists despite advances in breast cancer treatment.  It is important to understand that most women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors but there are strategies they can employ to reduce their risk. Speak to your doctor about ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle, and review your family history. There are ways throughout the year to get a mammogram even if you do not have insurance. Call 844.902.9355 for more information because early detection saves lives.”

The breast cancer screening clinic series – held at various locations from October 20-28, was also supported by the efforts of SEARS/KMART, Womanly Magazine, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Rho Omega Chapter.

Attia Taylor, Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Womanly Magazine shared, “Womanly Magazine is thrilled to partner with Senator Parker to make mammograms and other breast cancer screening methods accessible to Brooklyn residents.  Breast health awareness is an easy and affordable method to begin to mitigate the serious health issues that affect women in all communities. We are so happy to be part of this event and are grateful to Senator Parker’s office for leading this effort.”