Free mammograms offered

Newton — Free mammograms will be available to eligible women on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency. Women over the age of 40, who are without current insurance coverage, are eligible. A mammogram is 85 to 90 percent effective at detecting breast cancer. Mammograms may detect breast cancer up to two years before they can be felt through clinical or self-examinations. Therefore, obtaining a mammogram can lead to expanded treatment options if cancer is detected, including conserving the infected breast and a higher survival rate. Bev Gordon, breast cancer survivor and former co-facilitator of the Breast Cancer Support Group at Newton Memorial Hospital, is also a member of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Breast Health Advisory Board. She said, “I can’t stress enough the importance of early detection. Getting a mammogram is painless and it could save your life.” In combination with mammograms, breast self-exams and clinical breast exams are recommended for all women after the age of 20. Combining these three methods gives women the best chance of detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages. Call 973-940-3500 to make an appointment. Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill St., in Newton.