REGIONAL BREAST HEALTH RESOURCES

Northwest Arkansas offers a wide range of resources for low-income or uninsured patients needing healthcare. When it comes to breast health, including mammograms and assistance with other needs, these are health services available to women and men in our region as explained on their websites:

Susan G. Komen Ozark in Springdale is a regional clearinghouse with a mission to “save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.” Since its inception in 1998, the Ozark Affiliate has awarded over $11.3 million to local organizations that provide breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs for medically underserved women. In addition, $3.7 million has been invested in Komen National’s Research and Awards program in search of finding a cure. The Komen Ozark Affiliate’s service area covers Benton, Boone, Carroll, Crawford, Madison, Newton, Sebastian, and Washington Counties in Arkansas, and Stone and Taney Counties in Missouri. KomenOzark.org. 479-750-7465

Community Clinic

With locations in Springdale, Fayetteville, Rogers and Siloam Springs, the clinic partners with Komen for the Cure Ozark Affiliate and Cancer Challenge to provide education, screening, and treatment programs in the most culturally and linguistically appropriate manner for all of our patients. CommunityClinicNWA.org

NWA county health units

All of these health units are participating providers for The BreastCare Program, for free mammograms. BreastCare is a program for Arkansas women funded with federal and state funds. You may be able to get free cancer screenings and/or diagnostic (follow up) tests. Washington County

Health Unit – Fayetteville – 479-521-8181

Benton County Health Unit – Rogers – 479-986-1300 Benton County – Lowell WIC Clinic – 479-770-6232

Benton County Health Unit – Siloam Springs – 479-549-3794

Dr. Bates Outreach Clinic – Springdale – 479-751-3630 MRI financial assistance program for young women at risk for breast cancer

Right Action for Women (RAW), www. rightactionforwomen.org, founded by actress and breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate, offers a financial assistance program to help young women who are at high risk for breast cancer gain access to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) screening. Together with the Cancer Support Community (CSC) cancersupportcommunity.org and Patient Services, Inc. (PSI), Right Action for Women has created a partnership to bring financial support to young women who are facing the risk of early breast cancer as a result of a genetic predisposition.

Washington Regional Cancer Support Home and The Breast Center are offering free clinical breast exams and screening mammograms on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m-12 at the Breast Center, 55 West Sunbridge Dr., Fayetteville. Appointments are mandatory. Call 479-521-8024.