Healthy Woman’s Day Offers Free Health Screenings

[view:node_ad=5]Appointments are now being accepted for Santa Clarita Valley women who are uninsured or underinsured and want to receive a free woman’s health screening at the sixth annual Healthy Woman’s Day sponsored by Zonta Club of SCV in conjunction with the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center. This year’s event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Boys and Girls Club in Newhall.

               

The screening will include a breast examination, tests for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, and a heart risk assessment. A free mammogram is available on-site if warranted, and women who need follow-up care will be directed to services that are affordable.

 

The Samuel Dixon Center estimates that as many as 25 percent of local women do not have healthcare insurance to cover routine check-ups, and many let their own health go while caring for their families. The American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer is 95 percent curable if caught in time, making annual check-ups critical, especially for older women.

               

Healthy Woman’s Day is directed to all women who lack health care coverage, not just low income families. A number of women who are self-employed or working part-time do not receive regular check-ups because they have no medical insurance or only major medical, which does not cover routine screenings.

               

Women interested in participating can call (661) 257-2339 for appointments. Walk-in screenings are available on Oct. 27, but walk-in patients may encounter delays while patients with appointments are served.

               

The local Zonta Club created Healthy Women’s Day as part of its mission statement to improve the status of women worldwide. Zonta International is involved in a number of women’s health issues around the world.

               

Healthy Woman’s Day co-chairs Cathie Kincheloe, Cheryl Gray and Amira Mendias are hoping to serve up to 200 local women at this year’s event.