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National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Reminds Us All To Be "Body Aware"

(TRINIDAD, CO) - (October 7, 2016) - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a good time to remind our community to be vigilant about any changes in overall health and to obtain regular check-ups from a healthcare provider.

Body awareness, symptoms and risk factors for this life-altering disease are the keys to survival. Each year, hundreds of thousands of women are diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women. But, regular mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it's easiest to treat. And, 95% of women who find their breast cancer early, survive.

As part of Mt. San Rafael Hospital's ongoing efforts to ensure access to regular breast screenings are available to women in our community, it serves as a clinic site for the Women's Wellness Connection (WWC) program. The program helps women who live in Colorable obtain free breast and cervical cancer screenings. Women's Wellness Connection is funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the goal of reducing breast and cervical cancer mortality through the promotion of compliance with routine screening guidelines and timely state-of- the-art diagnostic evaluation.

Wellness Connection provides breast and cervical cancer screenings (clinical breast exams, Pap tests, and mammograms) to women after reviewing several criteria. To be eligible for the Women's Wellness Connection Program, you must be:

A woman at least 40 years old and not older than 64 years old

Either uninsured or underinsured

Uninsured - you do not have health insurance.

Underinsured - you have health insurance, but not enough to cover your needs.

Eligible for Medicare, but unable to pay the premium (monthly payment) to enroll in Medicare, Part B.

Have not had a Pap test or mammogram in the last 12 months.

Meet income requirements.

Don't wait to be screened for breast cancer. Make an appointment to see your provider today OR schedule your digital mammogram now by calling (719) 846-8081. For more information regarding the Women's Wellness Connection Program or to find out if you qualify, please call (719) 845-3190.

About Mt. San Rafael Hospital

Mt. San Rafael Hospital is a 25-bed, critical access facility serving the medical and surgical needs of Trinidad residents and the surrounding areas. For more information about the hospital or its available programs and services, please contact Kim Lucero, Director of Planning and Development, at (719) 846-8053.