CRENSHAW : Free Breast Cancer Screenings Praised

When Minnie Nichols’ doctor suggested that she participate in a breast cancer screening program, the South-Central resident decided it was high time to follow through on something she had always thought of doing.

Nichols, one of 36 participants in the Angeles Mesa YWCA’s Project Awareness, said she was glad she finally did.

“I try to take care of myself, and this is something I definitely needed to do,” said the 73-year-old Nichols.

“It was very informative. I’ve already planned to follow through next year with another screening, which is what they recommended for someone my age.”

The Angeles Mesa project was part of a countywide effort last month by the YWCA to provide free breast cancer information seminars and mammograms to 100 women at the organization’s Crenshaw, Compton and North Valley sites.

The goal was to reach women 40 and older who had never or rarely had mammograms and thus are at the greatest risk for having undetected breast cancer.

“Lack of preventive care is a leading cause of breast cancer deaths, and too many low-income women don’t get it,” said Project Awareness spokeswoman Katie Gates. “This program was designed to get women in the preventive habit.”

Gates said participants were recruited through physician and clinic referrals, as well as community venues such as churches.

Over three consecutive Saturdays last month, participants took part in a six-hour program that included a video presentation, lecture, mammogram and follow-up services at UCLA.

Transportation, meals and child care were also provided, said Gates, so that “participants would have no excuses not to come.”

Many low-income women do not get regular mammograms because they cost between $75 and $200 and are frequently not covered by insurance.

Project Awareness, co-sponsored by the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program and the Cancer Research Foundation of America, provides complete diagnostic examinations and follow-up care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

Of the 36 women screened at Angeles Mesa, seven were called back for further examinations and two were scheduled for biopsies.

Participant Helma Middleton said some women fear mammograms, but her Project Awareness experience was so positive she is looking forward to her next visit. The YWCA would like to offer the program again next year.

“It was excellent--even relaxing,” said Middleton, a 39-year-old Inglewood resident who had a mammogram for the first time.

“I made friends, and my kids enjoyed it. And I didn’t have to take off from work, which had always discouraged me from doing this in the past.”

For more information, call (213) 365-2991.