Get Breast Cancer Off Your Chest - Diagnostic Info Series Starts This Week

BTTF in the Boroughs serves uninsured that are "stuck in the middle" through community outreach

News provided by

Breast Treatment Task Force (BTTF)

Sep 26, 2018, 13:01 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Breast Treatment Task Force's (BTTF) multi-lingual, five-borough info series on breast care starts today (Sept 26) at noon, at the Bronx Community Healthcare Network, and tomorrow (Sept 27) at Community Health Center of Richmond. The series provides self-exam instruction, mammograms, BTTF diagnostic support, treatment programs and healthcare access. Each event is unique and select locations also include yoga and insurance counseling.

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The Breast Treatment TaskForce helps the growing uninsured population through events like the BTTF in the Boroughs by teaching them about early detection -- but more importantly -- shows them how to gain access to diagnostic services and treatment should they need it. This growing number of people under age 50 would not otherwise have the means to pay for diagnostic breast programs and would not qualify for follow-up breast care programs in NY state.
The Breast Treatment TaskForce helps the growing uninsured population through events like the BTTF in the Boroughs by teaching them about early detection -- but more importantly -- shows them how to gain access to diagnostic services and treatment should they need it. This growing number of people under age 50 would not otherwise have the means to pay for diagnostic breast programs and would not qualify for follow-up breast care programs in NY state.
The Breast Treatment Task Force (BTTF) makes information readily available through easy to follow, brightly-colored, multiple language, resources like these breast self-exam cards seen here in English and Spanish. They are also available in Chinese and Korean. Many hardworking, multicultural populations are among those "stuck in the middle" of the insurance gap, and often defer care as a result.
The Breast Treatment Task Force (BTTF) makes information readily available through easy to follow, brightly-colored, multiple language, resources like these breast self-exam cards seen here in English and Spanish. They are also available in Chinese and Korean. Many hardworking, multicultural populations are among those "stuck in the middle" of the insurance gap, and often defer care as a result.

Uninsured patients needing further care (additional diagnostics, biopsies, etc.) will be enrolled in BTTF programs so they don't have to stress about large medical bills or debt. "In the week leading up to Breast Cancer Awareness month, we're working with each community to assist their constituents and to call out important information," said Janice Zaballero, Executive Director of the BTTF. "Many people don't realize that the hardworking, low to mid-income group (earning $24k-$48k annually) struggles the most with obtaining healthcare. This group makes too much for Medicaid, but can't manage high cost of living and purchasing health insurance."

In fact, according to the Pink Fund, 73% of women thought about skipping breast care or treatment to save money and 41% actually did. "Most breast cancer charity funds go towards advocacy and research vs. direct patient services and treatment, like that provided by the BTTF and other safety net groups," said Zaballero. "We would like to see a more even distribution."

The upcoming schedule of services provided by the community and BTTF follows:

  • Wed., Sept. 26, 12-2 pm – Community Healthcare Network, 975 Westchester Ave, Bronx, NY (+ Spanish)
  • Thurs., Sept. 27, 12-2 pm – Community Health Center of Richmond, 135 Canal Street, Staten Island, NY (+ Spanish)                      
  • Fri., Oct. 26, 7-8:30 pm – Books are Magic, 225 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY
  • Tues. Oct. 30, 9am-1 pm* – Korean Nail Association Annual Health Fair, DaeDong Manor with Korean Community Services, 150-24 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 
    *Launch new Korean Self-Exam Cards                                   

The BTTF helps low to mid-income uninsured ladies (and a few men) to gain access to screening, diagnostics and treatment. Those living just above the Poverty Level earn "too much" for Medicaid but cannot afford to buy insurance; they are stuck in the middle.

The BTTF also fills a unique need for uninsured women under 50 that aren't covered by NY State programs. There are little to no resources other than BTTF that can provide diagnostic follow-up procedures free of charge.

Supporters of the 2018 "Get Breast Cancer Off Your Chest" include: Charles B. Wang Community Center which provides high quality and affordable health care to the underserved with a focus on Asian Americans; Community Healthcare Network (CHN) which provides access to quality, culturally-competent and comprehensive community-based primary care and social services for diverse populations; Community Health Center of Richmond which provides primary care that is accessible, affordable and respectful to all; Korean Community Services, a bridge for Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community to fully integrate into society and overcome economic, health and social barriers so that they become independent and thriving members of the community; Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC), a beacon of hope for thousands of individuals and families who rely on its centers for essential healthcare and innovative educational programs and the Project Renewal Scan Van which provides mobile mammography, radiology, clinical breast exams, mammograms, tuberculosis (TB) tests, and health education for uninsured by visiting street-side locations in the five boroughs. 

Contact: Eileen Michaels
917.838.0769
[email protected]

SOURCE Breast Treatment Task Force (BTTF)

Related Links

http://the-bttf.org

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