More than 215 women received free clinical breast exams in October from Family Health providers

Family Health staff at the Women's Center in Mobile wear pink to help promote
Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2014. More than 215 women
got free clinical breat exams during October from Family Health providers.

MOBILE, Ala. – During October, 215 local women received free clinical breast exams during special clinics held by the Mobile County Health Department’s Family Health primary care division.

“We’re pleased that so many women chose to be proactive and took advantage of the free examinations,” said Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for the Mobile County Health Department. “One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. We know screenings save lives.”

Some of the clinics – which offered free clinical breast examinations to those without insurance and the underinsured between the ages of 40 and 64 -- were held in the mobile medical unit at Walmart locations across Mobile County. Approximately 112 exams were performed in the medical clinic on wheels, which features two state-of-the-art exam rooms.

The American Cancer Society and Walmart partnered with the Mobile County Health Department’s Family Health division, and other area health care providers, to promote breast cancer awareness and health education throughout the month of October. 

Three other special clinics were offered at Family’s Health’s Women’s Center on Fridays in October. During those events, 112 women received the free clinical examinations.

About Family Health
Since 1979, the Mobile County Health Department’s Family Health division has provided comprehensive primary care services throughout Mobile County and now provides primary care services at nine sites from Mount Vernon to Tillman’s Corner to Dauphin Island Parkway. The sites, which are all designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers, are strategically located where the targeted population needs are the greatest and access to care is limited, agency officials said. A mobile health unit also brings primary care and wellness screenings to those who might not otherwise have the means to travel to a health center.