As part of its ongoing mission to increase early cancer detection awareness and intervention, the Indian Health Camp is organizing another free breast screening for women above the age of 40 and
By Jennifer M. Larkin, Special Writer
As part of its ongoing mission to increase early cancer detection awareness and intervention, the Indian Health Camp is organizing another free breast screening for women above the age of 40 and without medical insurance on Saturday, Dec. 21.
In collaboration with New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJ CEED,) the diagnostic screenings will be held at Garden State Magnetic Imaging, located at 1245 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road in Hamilton, according to the organization.
In September, The Indian Health Camp had a successful response during its first Free Mammogram screening when qualified women underwent complete screenings to detect abnormalities, according to organization President Dr. Tushar B. Patel.
Diagnostic studies were performed, and appropriate referrals and care management were developed in an effort to reduce complications and save lives, Dr. Patel said.
”Of the 30 mammograms performed, three had significant abnormalities and one woman was found to be in the advanced stages of breast cancer,” Dr. Patel said.
Due to the screening in that case, a biopsy was done and the woman’s life was saved after she underwent surgery through the NJ CEED program, he said.
According to Dr. Patel, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same, even if most people are aware of breast cancer.
The sooner a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer the more likely she is to beat it, according to Dr. Patel.
”The South Asian community needs help to spread the word with awareness for early detection,” Dr. Patel said. “Diagnostic tools and treatments have improved in recent years, and powerful new drugs have been introduced that increase a woman’s chance of a long productive life.” said Dr. Patel.
”In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer death rates have decreased every year since 1990,” he said.
According to Dr. Patel, IHCNJ is a non-profit organization, serving the state since 1998 and organizes health fair activities at several locations every year to screen people for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, thyroid diseases, eye disorders, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, prostate, breast, colo-rectal, skin and oral cancer.
The free screenings are in an effort to educate people between the ages of 45-64 without medical insurance.
To date, IHCNJ has screened more than 6,500 people in central and northern jersey area at various locations.
Registration for this screening can be made by sending an e-mail to IHCNJ President Dr. Tushar Patel at [email protected] or Mahesh Advani at [email protected] by Dec. 19.