Effingham Co. Health Dept. to offer free breast cancer screenings Thursday

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (WTOC) - October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Effingham County Health Department will be offering free breast cancer screenings on Thursday, Oct. 2.

The event is part of a program designed to help residents without insurance coverage access vital care.

Nurses will check for potential signs of breast cancer and refer patients to free mammograms, if needed.

Bethany Thornton, a nurse with the Georgia Department of Public Health, said all women over 40 should be getting screened because early detection can be life-saving.

“Early detection is always best because it allows us to provide early intervention to your care,” Thornton said. “Which can lead to long-term better health outcomes.”

The event will also have free blood pressure and glucose screenings, along with food and prizes.

“We want to take the stigma out of it and just make it fun,” Thornton said. “If you can’t make it to this event, we do offer this service every day of the year.”

The free screening event will take place at the Effingham County Health Department in Springfield from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Appointments are encouraged by calling 912-754-6484, but are not required.