Free Mammograms

Submitted by ub on

In partnership with American Italian Cancer Foundation NYC Councilmen Jimmy Vacca is offering a free service tomorrow, Thursday, February 7th at 10:00 A.M.

James Vacca will join representatives of the American Italian Cancer Foundation, as well as constituents, as he once again welcomes the Mammogram Van back to the district.

The van, which is a partnership with the American Italian Cancer Foundation, has visited the district every February for the last six years to offer free mammograms to women of the Bronx over the age of 40.

NYC Council Member James Vacca and The American Italian Cancer Foundation

For local residents who wish free mammograms for constituents

On Thursday, February 7th @ 10:00 A.M. @ Council Member Vacca’s District Office, 3040 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx

Over the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Risk factors you cannot change include:

Age and gender -- Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. Most advanced breast cancer cases are found in women over age 50. Women are 100 times more likely to get breast cancer than men.

Family history of breast cancer -- You may also have a higher risk for breast cancer if you have a close relative who has had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.

Genes -- Some people have genes that make them more likely to develop breast cancer. The most common gene defects are found in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. These genes normally produce proteins that protect you from cancer. If a parent passes you a defective gene, you have an increased risk for breast cancer. Women with one of these defects have up to an 80% chance of getting breast cancer sometime during their life.

Menstrual cycle -- Women who got their periods early (before age 12) or went through menopause late (after age 55) have an increased risk for breast cancer.

Contact: Vito Signorile, (718) 931-1721 / (646) 596-3338