Breast Cancer Program Targeted to Women over 60

The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania recently awarded the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute a $50,000 grant to help fund Increasing Breast Cancer Screening Compliance, an education program to encourage women over 60 to follow recommended breast cancer screening standards. 

Free education programs are being offered throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties on the risk factors of breast cancer, the importance of routine screening/early detection in successful treatment, and individualized information on screening sites, payment assistance, and access to transportation.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the nation and the Commonwealth. Across the nation and the Commonwealth, women are being screened for breast cancer in ever decreasing numbers. In northeastern Pennsylvania, not only is the prevalence of screening decreasing over time, but the percentage of women screened has been lower than the state average for some time.

“We are pleased to again work with The Blue Ribbon Foundation on a program that is targeted to the specific needs of northeastern Pennsylvanians,” said Cancer Institute President Bob Durkin. “Our goal here is to let women know that as they age, they are at increased, not decreased risk for breast cancer, and that vigilant adherence to screening should continue as long as they are in good health.”

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania established its private, non-profit Blue Ribbon Foundation in 2002 to invest in health education and prevention initiatives that produce measurable health improvements and help manage long term health costs for the residents of northeastern and north-central Pennsylvania.

For more information about the Increasing Breast Cancer Screening Compliance program or for a listing of scheduled programs, please contact the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at (570) 941-7984 in Scranton or (570) 970-6543 in Wilkes-Barre.