September 20, 2012                                                   

SIU Cancer Institute to Offer 'Mammogram Mondays' for Uninsured Women

Women who do not have health insurance will have the opportunity to receive a free screening mammogram from 4 - 7 p.m. on Mondays in October at the Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 315 W. Carpenter St., Springfield.

These screenings are being made possible through a partnership with Memorial Medical Center. Educational materials, information on general breast health and how to perform breast self-exams will be available. Light refreshments will also be provided.

“Raising awareness and increasing education about breast cancer are important components in identifying the disease in its earliest stages,” said Dr. Robert Mocharnuk, director of the Breast Center at SIU, located at Simmons Cancer Institute. “Breast cancer is diagnosed in more than 200,000 women annually. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the chances of long term survival. That is why mammograms are so important.”

Appointments are required for the free screening and can be made by calling 217-545-7296. Limited space is available, so no walk-ins will be accepted.

The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 or older have screening mammograms every one to two years. Screening mammograms are for patients who do not have symptoms or who have not detected any abnormalities. 

The mission of the Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU is to serve the people of central and southern Illinois by addressing their present and future cancer needs through education, research, patient care and community service. Its website is www.siumed.edu/cancer.

-30-