CNMI Public Health breast and cervical screening program coordinator Jocelyn Songsong said is also the most common cancer among the women in the commonwealth.
As part of its effort to spread awareness and extend services about breast cancer in the island, the Department of Public Health will be conducting a series of activities in October.
Songsong said the mobile clinic will be making its rounds in the villages of Saipan to provide basic services like blood pressure taking, breast examinations and other tests for busy women who can’t find time to go to the hospital for these tests.
She said the first mobile clinic is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the Pacific Islands Club.
“We are inviting everybody to avail of the free screening and tests,” Songsong said.
Public forums on cancer awareness are also scheduled for the CNMI’s three main islands: Oct. 10 on Tinian; Oct. 17, Rota; and Oct. 24, Saipan.
In October, Songsong said the requirement fees for mammogram tests will be waived.
“The mammogram will be free for the whole month of October, except for those who have Medicare,” she added.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos yesterday signed the proclamation declaring October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The proclamation stated that women who are 20 years and older should have clinical breast examinations performed by a health care provider and a breast self-examination on a regular basis.
“The mammogram, an x-ray picture of the breast, is recognized as the most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer long before the physical symptoms can be seen or felt in women 40 years and older,” the proclamation stated.
