Free pelvic exam, Pap test, and mammogram offered in Chicago

Chicago, IL

Early detection is the battle cry against some deadly diseases suffered by women.

But for those without health insurance, the high cost of mammograms and other tests often keeps them from finding out critical information until it's too late.

MetroSouth Medical Center (formerly St. Francis Hospital) is offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured English-, Chinese- and Spanish-speaking patients through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.

Women 35 and older who have no health insurance can obtain free mammograms, pelvic exams and Pap smears all on the same day, by appointment. Younger women without insurance also may be seen if they have a referral from a physician.

About one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Early detection and treatment have dramatically increased breast cancer survival rates. According to the ACS, when breast cancer is found early and confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. The first sign of an abnormality is often detected through screening mammography, a non-invasive, low-dose X-ray.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, cervical cancer once was the leading cause of cancer death for U.S. women. However, the number of cases and deaths have decreased significantly over the last four decades largely due to the increasing number of women getting regular Pap tests, which can detect cervical precancer before it turns into cancer.

The free screenings are available to individuals and groups. MetroSouth offers free transportation. It may send buses to pick up eligible groups, or offer gas cards and CTA passes for individuals.

Group participants also get complimentary educational presentations and lunch provided by MetroSouth Medical Center. All test results are typically provided to patients within 24 to 48 hours.

"We understand what a woman goes through if she has to wait too long for this important test, so we're doing everything we can to make the process fast, simple, comfortable and available to all of our patients," said Maureen Hansen, the hospital's lead mammographer.

The tests are available by appointment at MetroSouth Medical Center, 12935 S. Gregory St., Blue Island.

More information for English speakers is at (708) 489-7940, for Spanish speakers is at (708) 489-7942, and for Chinese speakers is at (708) 489-7941.

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