In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, mammograms will be free for local women with high insurance deductibles or no insurance thanks to the community-supported Think Pink program.
More than a dozen women from Dryden, Peshastin, Leavenworth and Plain scheduled free breast cancer screenings through the Think Pink program last October. The hope is that more will come forward this year.
“Some of the women had never had a mammogram before. Some were overdue. But I think for all of them, peace of mind was a big part of why they came in,” said Lead Mammographer Holly Blue.
A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that can detect cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Insurance companies are required to cover mammography for women age 40 and over. Cascade Medical conducts about 240 mammograms a year.
Think Pink began two years ago with a group of business owners at the Obertal Mall who wanted to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Since then, the Cascade Medical Foundation expanded the campaign with events throughout the month, including a coupon book this year with deep discounts at more than 20 businesses. For details, visit cascademedicalfoundation.org.
Cascade Medical Foundation’s Think Pink coupon book and event fundraisers will benefit the free mammography program, as well as a new 3-D mammography unit, coming soon to Cascade Medical.
“I’m really excited to bring 3D mammography to our hospital district. We’ve never had that kind of technology here locally,” said Radiology Director Scott Mitchell. “But with the Foundation’s help, the goal is within reach."