What is screening? Screenings are tests that are run by medical professionals before you have any symptoms. These are extremely important to get regularly because they can catch diseases early and find conditions that may not show obvious symptoms.
So, what screening do you need?
1. Mammograms
Breast cancer affects over 220,000 American women every year! However, it hits some communities harder than others. According to the CDC, breast cancer mortality is over 41% higher for black women than for white women. Black women are also less likely to have breast cancer diagnosed at a localized stage (54%) compared to white women (64%). By getting regular screening (mammograms), you can catch this disease early and beat the odds!
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram performed every 1-2 years in women 40-74 years old can reduce mortality by 40%!! Remember, prevention is the best medicine.
Can’t afford it or are appropriately worried about the cost? Check out this website:
https://www.freemammograms.org/city/ct-bridgeport
Hospital sites that provide mammography:
Bridgeport Hospital/Yale New Haven Health Mammography
https://www.bridgeporthospital.org/services/radiology/breast-imaging
St Vincents Hospital/Hartford HealthCare
https://stvincents.org/services/breast-health
Mobile mammography:
2. Colorectal Cancer Screening
African Americans have the highest rates of colorectal cancer of all racial groups in the US. According to cancer.org, African Americans are 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it. This is largely because of obstacles to screening and health care. Screening for colorectal cancer with colonoscopies can find and prevent colorectal cancer.
Everyone should get a colonoscopy by the age of 55, and if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, a history of polyps, radiation exposure, a history of inflammatory bowel disease or other risks – YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A MEDICAL PROVIDER CLOSELY.
Worried about affording it? Stop, and check out this website:
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has funded a ‘Connecticut Colorectal Cancer Control Program’ to give equal access for colorectal cancer screening for all persons 50 years or older.
Our own Bridgeport Hospital is a participant in this program. Give them a call at 203-332-1388.
To be eligible to receive a no-cost colonoscopy, you:
- Must be asymptomatic and at average risk for colorectal cancer
- Must be between the ages of 50-64
- Must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Have no health insurance (uninsured)
3. Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Screening
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can be silent killers. They can greatly increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Nothing will change your life (for the worse) like a stroke and/or a heart attack. The best way to treat these, is to avoid them!
Worried about cost? There are several free and income based clinics in Bridgeport.
Free Blood Pressure Screening: https://optimushealthcare.org/opthc/locations-2/
DISCLAIMER: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.