CALHOUN COUNTY'S FIRST ANNUAL "WALK FOR WOMEN" - BCCSP Offers Free Medical Screening |
| (10/06/2003) |
|
Submitted by Harriet Dial Cancer Information Specialist Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program The first Annual "Walk for Women" was held at the Calhoun County Park on Thursday, October 2, 2003. The WV Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program and the Calhoun County Educational Outreach Service joined efforts in promoting the walk, along with Lights On. In an effort to bring awareness about Breast Cancer and the program that helps women who cannot afford annual breast and cervical screening, the walk also encouraged volunteers to reach out to another woman to spread the word about the free screening program. This theme also carried over to the Candlelight service held at the Courthouse Thursday evening. Cancer Survivor, Jean Simers, encouraged women to be informed and have annual screenings. County Commissioner Bob Weaver read the proclamation setting October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. More activities are planned for seniors on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 at the Calhoun County Committee on Aging including special prize drawings at a lunch featuring a recipe from the National Cancer Institute Healthy Cookbook. Plans are already underway for next year's walk which will be expanded and help raise funds for the Diagnostic and Treatment Program. This program is available for women when the screening program indicates a possibility of cancer and the need for additional services. This program has provided over $60,000 of diagnostic treatment for women in Region 5, which includes Calhoun County. West Virginia's Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCSP) is a medical program and offers a multitude of medical screenings: Free Pap Free Clinical Breast Exams Free Mammograms for over 50 (and under 50 for high risk patients) Free transportation (reimbursed at .36 miles, even to screening) Free Diagnostic treatments including biopsies, colpolcospies, needle biopsies, diagnostic mammograms Free Treatments including all surgeries (mastectomies, etc.) and re-constructive surgeries Free case management by nurses Trained mammocare providers
West Virginia's Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program
|