In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we decided to debunk the most common myths about mammograms.

1. Mammograms are only necessary once you turn 40.
   False! If your family has a history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor. Your doctor might recommend that you have a mammogram done earlier than you expected.
2. I check myself regularly and have never found a lump. I don’t need a mammogram.
   Just because you don’t feel anything, doesn’t mean that nothing is there. While it is common that a woman might find a lump if she has breast cancer, this isn’t always the case. You can’t be sure unless you get checked.
3. If a mammogram comes out abnormal, it’s a death sentence.
   We can’t say disagree enough! Early detection saves lives and the sooner you find out, the more you can do to fight!
4. Mammograms are painful.
   Although there is some discomfort associated with mammograms, the exam doesn’t take very long and the discomfort is gone after the exam is finished. It’s a small price to pay to know your status.

At HealthNet, providing life-saving mammogram screenings is vital to ensuring our patients are getting the best care possible – regardless of their ability to pay.

To find a HealthNet location near you, click here. If you’d like to schedule a mammogram, or learn more, please call us at 317-957-2000 or visit us online at www.indyhealthnet.org.

Just $25 provides coverage for an Indianapolis woman in need of a mammogram. Click here to help.

THREE pretty big obstacles:

1. Deciding to prepare yourself for cancer. – just in case.
2. Trying to afford insurance – just in case.
3. Finding the income to pursuit services to prepare yourself – just in case.

Uninsured women often face these three obstacles, and many times do not know where to turn.

Uninsured women [are] more likely than their insured counterparts to require a longer, more extensive chemotherapy regimen (find out more statistics from The Commonwealth Fund).

There are several organizations in the Indianapolis area that provide mammogram screenings to those without health insurance and living below the federal poverty. HealthNet is one of those organizations.

Last year, HealthNet provided mammogram screenings to uninsured women, as well as breast health education and outreach services with the hopes of overcoming the cultural, educational, social and financial barriers that prevent women from getting screened.

This education and outreach is vital because research shows that women without health insurance are less likely to get a mammogram screening. A report done in New York showed that uninsured women lag behind the insured when it comes to getting screened for breast cancer. City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, believes it is, “because uninsured women do not know enough about the resources that are out there for them.”

The American Cancer Society has put together an Indiana Mammography Facility Guide on their website that is a resource listing of facilities throughout the state offering screening services. In addition, a contact number is provided for those on Medicare and the uninsured that assists them with finding a designated site that will provide mammogram screenings if they can not afford this service.

Partnerships through St. Vincent’s Mobile Mammography Unit, Little Red Door Cancer Agency and HealthNet’s Health Centers exist to provide free mammograms to qualifying low-income or uninsured women in Indianapolis.  Together we are taking the steps needed to offer preventative and screening services to women in Indianapolis – just in case.

Uninsured women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, causing their risk of dying form the disease to increase by 20 percent! Together we can give them a chance to fight breast cancer. Together we can close that gap.