INDIANAPOLIS – While Little Red Door Cancer Agency offers year-round FREE mammograms, during October the staff makes a special point to encourage all women to think about breast cancer and what screenings are appropriate based on their age and risk factors.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women with 1 in 8 being diagnosed at some point in their lifetime. Getting older and being female are the two most significant risk factors for developing breast cancer. Each year in Indiana on average 4,102 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed and 884 die from the disease. Early detection of breast cancer through regular clinical breast exams and annual screening mammograms (beginning at age 40) are still the best tools to find breast cancer at an early stage, when it is easiest to treat. (Source: Indiana Cancer Facts & Figures 2012)
To celebrate October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Little Red Door Cancer Agency is teaming up with several local partners to educate and screen women for breast cancer. Some of the upcoming events include:
• Look Good…Feel Better, Oct. 1, 1-3 p.m. – Little Red Door will be hosting this American Cancer Society program that teaches beauty techniques to women in active cancer treatment and helps them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.
• St. Vincent Mobile Mammography Unit at Little Red Door, Oct. 16 – Free screening mammograms will be scheduled for women who meet eligibility requirements. Individuals who wish to participate must pre-register by Oct. 2. Availability is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Women’s Breast Cancer Event, Oct. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Free Breast Cancer Screenings will be offered at the St. Thomas Clinic in Johnson County.
• 2012 Mammothon – Franciscan St. Francis Health will host their 2nd annual Mammothon on four Fridays in October in four different locations to provide extended screening hours as well as other screenings, demos, door prizes, and more, with financial assistance provided by Little Red Door for those who qualify.
Individuals interested in learning more about any of these events should call Little Red Door at (317)925-5595 to find out if they are eligible and get registered.
Funding for Little Red Door’s Mammography Assistance Program is supported by the Central Indiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, United Way of Central Indiana, Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, and other generous supporters.
Established in 1945, Little Red Door Cancer Agency works to reduce the physical, emotional and financial burdens of cancer for medically underserved residents of central Indiana by providing free client services, cancer screenings and education.
For more information, visit littlereddoor.org.
