To recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, French Hospital Medical Center is offering free mammogram screenings to those who are uninsured or under-insured.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
Beverly Kirkhart, the director for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center at French Hospital says the medical center wants to encourage women to get their screened mammograms as it is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in women.
"Mammograms are important because they are a 90% accuracy rate and if they catch it early then it's a 98% survival rate," Kirkhart said. "So, that's why it's really important that women take the steps to move forward for getting these early diagnosis."
In order to qualify for a mammogram screening, patients must schedule a breast exam appointment The Center, SLO Noor Clinic, or Paso Robles Public Health. Following the clinical breast exam, women will receive a referral for the free screening.
The clinics will take place October 5th and 19th from 10 a.m. To 3:30 p.m. at Women's Health and Imaging at French Hospital Medical Center.
