Write a commentOswego County Opportunities' Cancer Services Program Partnership has recently secured funding for an additional five years to provide free cancer screenings to uninsured men and women aged 40-64 including clinical breast exams, mammogram, pap/pelvic exams and more and welcomes new Providers to join their team in the fight against cancer in Oswego County.
Currently, the Cancer Services Program Partnership includes 22 health care providers offering services and treatment related to breast cancer, cervical cancer and colon cancer.
"While we are fortunate to have so many talented partners, we are looking to add more so that we can better meet the increased demand for services and provide our clients with more options," said Cancer Services Program coordinator, Carolyn Handville. "Ideally, if we can provide community members the opportunity to have their screenings with their existing provider, more uninsured community members would agree to not delay and have their annual preventative cancer screenings."
"Being a partner in the Cancer Services Program Partnership allows the health care provider to provide cancer screenings for patients that they would usually see and receive reimbursement from the Cancer Services Program," she added.
Patients who are uninsured who may be diagnosed with breast, cervical or colon cancer by a participating physician in the Cancer Services Program Partnership are also eligible for the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program, which will cover the costs of treatment.
"It is mutually rewarding in that both the participating health care provider receives reimbursement for services, the patient is taken care of and the program itself will be able to screen and treat more people, increasing the fight against cancer in Oswego County," Handville said.
When it comes to winning the fight against cancer, early detection is the best protection. Through the Cancer Services Program, eligible Oswego County residents can receive the cancer screenings they need, free of charge, and are referred to an appropriate health care providers.
In recent years the annual cancer incident rates in Oswego County have increased more than 10 percent. In Oswego County, five individuals die each week of cancer and another 13 individuals are diagnosed with cancer each week.
"While these numbers are alarming, the good news is, we can do something about it," Handville said. "There is no reason for individuals to prolong or neglect their opportunity to receive free cancer screenings on a regular basis as needed."
Funded by the NYS Department of Health, OCO's Cancer Services Program provides free cancer screenings including clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap/pelvic exams and colon cancer screenings to uninsured or underinsured women ages 40 to 64, uninsured men ages 50 to 64 and uninsured or underinsured women under 40 years of age who are at risk of, or has had a clinically significant finding for breast cancer. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Cancer Services Program at 315-592-0830.
A private, non-profit agency, OCO's many programs touch the lives of more than 30,000 Oswego County residents each. One of Oswego County's largest employers, OCO employs more than 650 people and boasts a volunteer force of 1200. OCO strives to improve the quality of life in Oswego County by helping people, supporting communities and changing lives. For more information, visit OCO's website at www.oco.org.
