PEORIA, Ill. — With October’s recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Tazewell County Health Department and UnityPoint Health announced Monday there will be a day in October of free mammograms.
Uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 64 are scheduled to be able to get a free walk-in breast cancer screening Oct. 18th at the Methodist, Methodist North, Proctor, and Pekin UnityPoint Health locations.
The local event is part of the bigger National Mammography Day, which was part of the inspiration behind starting these free screenings, according to Tazewell County Health Department Communication Manager Sara Sparkman.
“A lot of times, there’s some hesitation of not knowing what’s going to happen,” she said.
“So, being able just to walk in and get the mammogram that day, we thought that would be a good way to use some of our grant dollars.”
The grant to which Speakman referred came to UnityPoint from IDPH Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program and Susan G. Komen Memorial.
UnityPoint Medical Imaging Operations Manager Jenny Rose added even though this event is designated for women 40 to 64, it’s never too early to start prevention measures.
“I don’t think there’s a magical age,” she said.
“You can get your baseline starting at the age of 35. You should always be doing self-exams.
“Early detection is the key.”
Because of grant regulations, women attending the event will be asked to show stubs of the last two paychecks of everyone in their household. There are no income guidelines.
