National Mammography Day is October 21st, and the IDPH is encouraging women who have delayed breast cancer screenings due to COVID, to take action and schedule an exam now. The National Cancer Institute says that an estimated 9.4 million screening tests that normally would have taken place in 2020 did not happen due to the pandemic.

Governor JB Pritzker issued a proclamation declaring October 21st as Mammography Day in Illinois. He says that breast cancer takes the lives of more than 40,000 women throughout the nation every year but thanks to modern medicine, Illinoisans can lower that number with early detection and regular mammograms. 

The IDPH reminds the public that their department's Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program or IBCCP offers free breast exams and mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women.  The program also supports diagnostic services and assists with referrals for treatment options. Taylorville Memorial Hospital will also host its Mammogram Mondays in October. You can schedule an appointment for any Monday in October to have a free mammogram done.

To enroll in the IBCCP call the Women’s Health line at 888-522-1282.