CHOMP offers free and reduced-cost breast cancer screenings, diagnostics

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula is reminding local women that low-cost cancer screenings are available.

Two charitable funds offered through the Carol Hatton Breast Care Center, a service of CHOMP, offer low-cost cancer screenings and diagnostics for those who need them.

The Sherry Cockle Memorial Fund, now in its 24th year, provides free and reduced-cost breast screenings for women with no signs or symptoms of a problem.

The Carol Hatton Women in Need Fund, in its third year, provides free and reduced-cost diagnostic breast imaging for women who have been identified by their physician with a breast concern. This program, unique to this area, provides Monterey County women the option to pursue more information on a breast condition.

Through the Sherry Cockle fund, more than 2,500 women have received free or discounted screening mammograms and 90 women have received financial assistance for advanced diagnostic services based on the initial screenings.

CHOMP’s ongoing Give a Mammo/Get a Mammo campaign encourages women to get their annual mammogram and to donate for those who can least afford it.

Residents who wish to learn about the application process or to donate to the funds should contact the Carol Hatton Breast Care Center at 649-7233 or visit the center’s website.