NEW YORK, NY – There has been much debate recently about how often women should get a mammogram, but the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and the American Cancer Society are joining forces this Mother’s Day to urge women over 40 to have a mammogram every year.

As part of HHC’s annual May mammogram awareness effort, the city’s public hospitals and the American Cancer Society are educating women about breast cancer and the importance of this cancer screening procedure. Throughout the month of May, HHC facilities will host special public education events to raise awareness about breast cancer screening and early detection. Women without health insurance can get a mammogram all year-round at any HHC hospital at little or no cost based on family size and income.

“Mammograms are the most important tool for early detection of breast cancer, and HHC hospitals and health centers are committed to promoting and providing this potentially lifesaving screening procedure at little or no cost,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles.

One in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. A mammogram is the best method of detecting breast cancer at an early stage and improving rates of survival.

“We know that in the fight against breast cancer, early detection saves lives. But not everyone has adequate access to vital cancer screening services, especially in these challenging economic times,” said Heather Anderson, American Cancer Society Director of Health Systems Initiatives. “The ability to offer low- or no-cost mammograms and education to uninsured women during the May screening events will directly provide access to quality services that are needed and deserved in the fight against cancer."

HHC will also partner with Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital to provide breast cancer screenings to low-income women without insurance on Staten Island.

“There has been much debate about how often a woman should get a mammogram. But there is little debate that the people in her life will be glad she did,” Aviles said. “Early detection saves lives.”

Individuals can call 311, visit the HHC’s website, www.nyc.gov/hhc, or call the American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345 for a complete list of facilities that offer mammograms and other helpful health information this May.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

HHC

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country, is a $6.3 billion public benefit corporation. HHC serves 1.3 million New Yorkers every year and 450,000 of them are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community-based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides health services at home for New Yorkers. To learn more about HHC, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc.

Brooklyn

Bronx

Manhattan

Queens

Staten Island

Mammograms are available to women on Staten Island at two local non-HHC hospitals in the borough, thanks to HHC's collaboration with the Cancer Services Program of Staten Island.

Women with health insurance are welcome to get breast cancer screening as well. Their insurer will be billed and they will be responsible for required co-payments.