Give Yourself and Your Health Peace of Mind
Free cancer screenings offered in Erie County
By Kimberly LaRussa
While many people become acutely aware of the importance of getting screened for cancer during specific cancer awareness months, there is every reason why we should make getting proper cancer screenings a priority every month of the year. Yet, despite the fact that most of us know someone who has passed away from cancer, or who is currently battling the disease, we often delay getting screened ourselves. Why?
For some, the answer may be a fear of the screening results. For others, it may be due to a lack of health insurance coverage or an inability to afford high out-of-pocket costs. The goal of the Erie County Cancer Services Program is to ensure peace of mind for those who are uninsured or underinsured. The program is part of a statewide initiative that provides free breast, cervical, and colon cancer screenings and information to those who are eligible. The screenings are available to all Erie County residents who enroll. Here’s what to expect when you get screened:
Mammograms
Mammograms take about 20 minutes to complete. During a mammogram, a female technician will place a woman’s breast between two plates. One of the plates takes an image of the breast, and the other holds the breast in place. Gently compressing the breast allows the technician to get a clearer image that displays all of the breast tissue. It also keeps the breast stable during the test. See, no biggie!
Cervical screenings
Many women miss their Pap test screening simply because they are embarrassed, but there’s nothing to be embarrassed about because it is a simple and quick procedure. A clinician will perform an internal exam and then, using a speculum and a soft brush, will take a small swab of cells from your cervix. While this may not be the highlight of your week, it is not painful, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that you have been screened!
Colon cancer screenings
A colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end to look inside the rectum and entire colon. Most people have heard of this test and the necessary prep involved. But did you know that there are newer kinds of screening tests that are simple and accurate? The FIT Kit (Fecal Immunochemical Test) is a colon cancer screening test that requires no special prep, and is done in the privacy of your home. So, there’s no excuse not to get screened!
To see if you, or someone you know, is eligible for a free screening, call the Erie County Cancer Services Program at 716-858-7376 or visit www.cspwny.org today. You deserve peace of mind.
Kimberly LaRussa is a public relations strategist for 85 West Communications.
