Write a commentTo the Editor: New Yorkers did it, again!
Almost 82% of females aged 50-74 years are up to date with breast cancer screening per recommendations, exceeding the nationwide goal of 80.3%. This goal was also met in 2020!
While this is great news, we can move the dial even more. Many people face barriers to cancer screening. This is where Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Cancer Services Program of the North Country can help. If you do not have health insurance or a health care provider, please reach out to us. We provide cancer screening for people aged 40 and older who do not have health insurance and who meet other program requirements. If more testing is needed, our program can pay for that too. And we will help enroll eligible people in the New York State Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program if cancer is found.
Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. General guidelines recommend that females start mammograms at age 40 and repeat at least every other year through age 74. This recommendation also includes transgender males and people who are nonbinary.
If you need breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer screening or want more information, please call OCO’s CSP at 315-592-0830.
Carolyn Handville OCO Coordinator
CSP of the North Country
Oswego, NY 13126
