YWCA Salem Oregon

women's health


ywca women's health program

YWCA Women's Health Program

Breast health education and screening referral

The YWCA Women’s Health Program offers education, support and access to screening services to women in Marion and Polk Counties. We offer breast health presentations that stress the importance of early detection by practicing monthly breast self-exams, and receiving annual clinical breast exams and mammograms. We are a great community resource for breast cancer awareness and education.

We are currently funded by grants through the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund and the Charla Richards-Kreitzberg Foundation.

If you’d like to get involved with the YWCA Salem Women’s Health Program, we always appreciate both volunteers and donations. Volunteers would work either in our new YWCA Women’s Health Resource Center or during education or fundraising events for breast cancer awareness. Donations are gratefully accepted for YWCA Salem Women's Health Program. Checks made payable to Women's Health YWCA Salem, can be mailed to 1255 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301.

For more information about the YWCA Women’s Health Program and the YWCA Women’s Health Resource Center, please call 503-581-9922 or email Marcella Miles mmiles@ywcasalem.org.

Free women's health exams and mammograms

Are you:

  • 40 years of age or older?
  • Without insurance?
  • Unable to afford annual health checkups?
  • Concerned about your health?

You may qualify for a no cost women’s health exam and mammogram through the Oregon Breast & Cervical Cancer Program. To see if you qualify and be referred to a local clinic, please call the YWCA Women's Health Program at 503-581-9922 x302.

Breast health presentations

The YWCA Women's Health Program provides breast health educational presentations to the community. There are many options for having a presentation where we come to your location to provide the information. Presentations are also available in Spanish.

Some examples include:

  • Lunch and Learn - Get a group of coworkers together during your lunch hour for a presentation.
  • Coffee, Tea & Me - Invite a small group of friends to your home or local coffee shop to learn about breast health.
  • Community Groups - Schedule a presentation during one of your monthly meetings to provide important breast health information to the members of your group.

If you would like to schedule a breast health presentation, please call the Women's Health Program at 503-581-9922 or email mmiles@ywcasalem.org.

Information on our Breast Cancer Support Groups

 

YWCA Salem Breast Cancer Support Group Notebook

Community partners

The YWCA Women's Health Program works with many community partners to provide education and support, screening services and awareness events to the community.

Breast ad cervical cancer awareness

Each week in Oregon 51 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 9 will die.  Each year over 245 women who live in the mid-Willamette Valley are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.  Oregon consistently ranks 7th or higher in the incidence of breast cancer nationally.

According to the Oregon State Cancer Registry, there is an average of 11 cases of cervical cancer and 4 deaths in Marion County each year.

What is a Pap test?

A Pap test is used to find abnormal cell changes of the cervix before they have a chance to become cancerous.

Screening Guidelines for Early Detection:

Women who have had a total hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and cervix) no longer need a Pap test, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cancer or precancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without the removal of the cervix should continue regular screenings.

Talk to your doctor about the frequency of your Pap test, each individual may vary.

Sources: American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, Oregon State Cancer Registry, www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/oscar