Jenkins Center offers free breast cancer screenings

(Oct. 8, 2004)   —   The Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center is providing a free breast cancer screening 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 23 at the center. 

Registration is required. Women who are interested in having the free screening should call 847-9450 to make an appointment.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American women with about 215,900 cases of invasive breast cancer expected this year, according to the American Cancer Society. It accounts for nearly one out of three cancers diagnosed in U.S. women. Roughly 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year, according to the ACS. In the U.S., about 2 million women have been treated for breast cancer. 

“Rates are declining because of improved drug therapies and higher awareness of the disease, which includes women performing breast self-exams, obtaining clinical breast exams and having routine screening mammograms,” said Colleen Fenlon-Coda, outreach coordinator for the cancer center. 

As part of the screening, participants will receive educational information on breast cancer risk factors and a clinical breast exam. Women will also be instructed on the correct method of performing breast self-exams. 

This free screening is co-sponsored by the Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center, Eastern Radiologists, American Cancer Society, the Pitt County Health Department, Pitt County Memorial Hospital Department of Radiology, ECU Physicians and local private practice physicians.