Each year, more than 14.5 million Americans become cancer survivors. Many local service providers are working to increase those survival rates by encouraging regular screenings.

Cervical cancer rates have been reduced dramatically since the Pap test was first introduced 65 years ago, and 90% of cervical cancer can be cured if treated early. Despite these success rates, every two minutes, a woman will die of cervical cancer somewhere in the world. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer, but more than one in five women are not up to date with their mammography screenings. If everyone over the age of 50 had regular colorectal screening tests, at least 60% of deaths from this type of cancer could be avoided. Unfortunately, more than 30% of New Yorkers are not up to date with colorectal cancer screening.

I sponsored a Resolution in the Assembly urging the Governor to declare June 7 as Cancer Survivor’s Day in New York. In honor of this day, I was able to visit the Oswego County Opportunities’ Cancer Services facilities in Fulton and learn more about their local services. I also presented them with a copy of the Assembly Resolution and thanked them for the important outreach work they and other Cancer Services programs do throughout the state. Many credit these programs with saving their lives, and I am grateful they still receive state funds to continue this important work. Without the early screening, cancer can become more advanced, and cancer treatment, as many of you know, is emotionally taxing and a financial hardship. I want to draw attention to these services this week and let residents in Oswego, Onondaga and Jefferson counties know there is help out there if you do not have health insurance or face a high deductible.

Cancer Services are free for the uninsured and underinsured. Free breast, cervical, and colorectal screenings are available for women ages 40-64 and men ages 50-64. There are no income guidelines for breast or cervical cancer screenings.

There are many who already have been helped by this statewide screening program. Most counties have cancer services that help coordinate and promote cancer prevention and other related services. Their work is largely funded through the State Department of Health. If there is a positive diagnosis, those in need of treatment may be eligible for insurance coverage through the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program, which is aided by federal dollars.

Cancer screenings are held regularly on the 2nd and 4th Thursday at the Fulton Medical Imaging office at Occupational Health at 510 S. 4th St., Fulton, NY 13069 from 1 to 4 p.m. The next screening at the Fulton site is on June 25. Screenings also are held regularly on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Oswego Hospital, 110 W. 6th St., Oswego, Suite 180, with the next one set to take place July 8. To schedule an appointment at the Oswego County locations, call Carolyn Handville at 315-592-0830. Residents also may be screened at their own provider’s offices, but should call Cancer Services in advance.

Jefferson and Lewis county residents may call the Cancer Services program at 315-376-5453 to make an appointment to be screened at their own doctor’s office. In Onondaga County, residents may call 315-435-3653. All offices can reimburse the patient’s doctor directly, but residents need to call to register first to be covered by the Cancer Services Program.

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling (315) 598-5185. You also can find me, Assemblyman Barclay, on Facebook.