STATEN ISLAND, NY – In observance of Mother’s Day, the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) will provide free mammograms to low-income women without health insurance on Staten Island throughout the month of May.

The service is part of a larger campaign by HHC and the American Cancer Society to promote cancer prevention by educating New Yorkers about breast cancer and urging women over 40 to have a mammogram every year.

“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 life-saving screening 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. 

“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.”

In collaboration with the Cancer Services Program of Staten Island, HHC will provide free mammograms to low-income women without health insurance with our Staten Island partners at the following locations:

• Richmond University Medical Center
  355 Bard Avenue, at Castleton Avenue
• Staten Island University Hospital
  256 Mason Avenue, Building B, at Alter Avenue

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.

Borough residents can call 311 or the Cancer Services Program of Staten Island at 718-226-6447, or visit HHC’s web site at www.nyc.gov/hhc for a complete list of locations providing screenings and other helpful health information.

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.