Free breast exams, medical outreach attract large crowd

At least 40 women availed of the free clinical breast exam in the mobile clinic of the Department of Public Health and another 40 signed up for mammogram and Pap smear referrals at the Sabalu market in Susupe on Sept. 3.

Dr. Jennifer Linden and nurse practitioner Gayline Blau administered the clinical breast exam during Saturday’s breast and cervical health and wellness event—a joint venture of the Commonwealth Cancer Association and DPH.

About 20 trained volunteers of CCA and DPH staff also provided some 150 individuals free health services such as blood pressure and blood sugar checks, body mass index calculations, HIV screening, and information dissemination.

CCA program manager Tina Sablan said that many were already lining up as early as 5:30am, way before the volunteers set up the health screening site.

“There’s definitely a lot of interest from the community which we’re really very happy about,” she told Saipan Tribune.

As Perdido resident Bing Esturas said that she went to the event with her husband and lined up as early as 6:30am.

“This is a great program especially for low-income patients and also convenient for those who don’t have insurance,” said the 44-year-old Esturas.

Ann Santos, 44, said she decided to avail of the free clinical breast exam since she last had her checkup in 2009.

“We should take advantage of this free screening because it helps detect cancer early. With this disease, prevention is important,” said the Garapan resident.

Fifty-two-year-old Aida Otokichi, who went to the event with her housemate, said she didn’t mind lining up at 6:15am to avail of the free breast exam. “I really hope that DPH will co me up with this program regularly,” added Otokichi.

Sablan said those who availed of the free health screenings were from different members of the public: Chamorros, Carolinians, Chinese, and Filipinos.

“I think Sabalu is a great venue for the screening because it attracted a lot of attention in the community. A lot of them came prepared with questions,” she added.

Sablan said the event, which initially targeted only women, also caught the attention of men. “The women came with their husbands and friends. The men showed up and we informed them about Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the forum that we’ve scheduled.”

Tatiana Olopai, CCA project assistant for breast and cervical health outreach program, said that Saturday’s turnout was a lot higher than they expected. “It was a really awesome turnout and we’ll certainly do it again in the future,” she said.

Olopai disclosed that they have already lined up a long list of activities for the CCA trained volunteers, having at least one activity per month.

“We’re going to be doing something like this in main areas of the island. We’ll be having village tours but we don’t have specific target villages yet,” added Sablan.

Sablan thanked their volunteers and partners, including the DPH Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Breast & Cervical Screening Program, HIV/STD Program, the Mobile Clinic, Sabalu Market, and Foremost, which donated 10 cases of fat-free milk as incentive to the public.