Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a free mammogram

Published on October 11, 2022

Weld County, Colorado — This October, celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month by having a conversation with a health care provider about routine breast cancer screenings. In partnership with the Women's Wellness Connection (WWC) program, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) encourages women ages 40 years and older to talk to their health care provider about staying up to date on routine cancer screenings, like mammograms. These life-saving screenings are free to women who qualify through the WWC program.

WWC offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings at more than 100 clinics across Colorado. The program serves women ages 21-64 with limited or no health insurance who have demonstrated a financial need. On August 1, 2022, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced that legal residency is no longer required for WWC eligibility.

"Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good time to remind the women in our lives to get screened," said Darci Hata, WCDPHE's Community Health Outreach Worker. "WWC's work to offer free screenings to women who otherwise may not receive them due to cost, lack of health insurance, or immigration status breaks down some major barriers to care for Colorado women."

One in 3 women will get cancer in their lifetime, including 1 in 8 who will have invasive breast cancer, but finding it early makes it easier to treat and even prevent. Breast cancers can start years before any physical symptoms, so routine mammograms are key to early detection. Nearly all women can survive breast and cervical cancer when caught in the early stages. In fact, when breast cancer is detected early, 98% of those diagnosed had a five-year survival. "These screenings can save your life," Hata said.

To learn more about WWC, go to womenswellnessconnection.org or the Weld County WWC webpage. Women can also call 1-866-951-9355 for help finding a clinic near them that offers free or low-cost cancer screenings as part of WWC.