Free Cancer Screenings

The Cancer Services Program (CSP) at the Ryan/Chelsea Clinton Community Health Center is a program funded by the New York State Department of Health, which works with health care providers to offer free screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers for uninsured New York state residents. SAG-AFTRA members who do not currently have insurance, especially those in high-risk groups, are encouraged to take advantage of this potentially life-saving resource.  

For breast and cervical cancer screenings, women must be age 40-plus or, if at a high risk for breast cancer, they can be screened under 40. For colorectal screenings, men and women must be age 50-plus to receive a take-home Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT Kit) or at high risk to receive a colonoscopy. For any abnormal screening results, CSP may cover diagnostic follow-up tests, case management and assistance with finding treatment if cancer is found.

The CSP team can enroll SAG-AFTRA members into the program, book appointments and send reminder notifications. The team is here to guide you through the entire process and help alleviate anxieties about getting these essential cancer screenings.  

Please contact Sharmistha Mohapatra, supervisory health educator, at 212-484-5857, or Amy Ly, AmeriCorps outreach & engagement specialist at 212-265-4500 ext. 4820. For additional information, visit the website.

This article was originally featured in the December 2015 local e-newsletter.