October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and UTMB is hosting numerous special events and programs to encourage breast health at its breast imaging locations in Galveston and League City. 

Specials include reduced-price screening mammograms for uninsured women, extended clinic hours, self-referral mammograms, a gospel concert and a special partnership with the new Tanger Outlets in Texas City benefitting UTMB breast cancer screening and prevention efforts during the outlets’ grand opening weekend Oct. 19-21.

Since Aug. 1, under the Affordable Care Act and the new Office of Women’s Health, most private health plans are required to cover preventive services for women without a co-payment or a deductible. Breast cancer screening mammograms are among those services. So it makes more sense than ever for women to make an appointment to get a mammogram this October. For most insured women, this year’s mammogram won’t cost a dime.

Dr. Morton Leonard Jr., director of the UTMB Breast Imaging Department, said UTMB’s October specials are designed to highlight one important fact: “Annual screening mammograms make a huge difference in reducing breast cancer deaths.”

Extended hours for mammograms at Victory Lakes
Throughout the month of October, the UTMB Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes, 2240 Gulf Freeway South in League City, will offer extended hours daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enable patients to stop off and get a mammogram on their way to work. Patients may schedule appointments at 832-505-1700.

Self referral mammograms
Women may now schedule their own annual screening mammograms anytime without a physician’s order at UTMB’s two breast imaging clinics by calling 409-772-7150 in Galveston and 832-505-1700 at the UTMB Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes.

Discounted mammograms for uninsured women
In an effort to help uninsured women UTMB is offering discounted $99 routine screening mammograms throughout October. In order to qualify for this discount, patients must be 40 or older and not have Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. Patients must not have a lump in either breast, a history of breast cancer diagnosed in the last five years or any other breast problems. In addition, patients should not be pregnant or breastfeeding and should not have received a screening mammogram in the last 12 months. Patients as young as 30 may qualify for the special $99 rate if their mother or sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Knockout Cancer Awareness Gospel Tour
The 2012 Knockout Cancer Awareness Gospel Tour will be at 7 p.m., Oct. 12 at Greater Barbour’s Chapel Baptist Church, 7420 FM 1765 in Texas City. There will be a pre-concert “pink lounge” at 5 p.m. at which UTMB breast health professionals will be on hand to offer advice and educational materials about breast health to guests. The concert will feature Earnest Pugh, Anita Wilson, Nakitta Foxx, Faith Howard and the Houston Mass Choir. For tickets and information, call 409-935-1100 or visit the website.