In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the North Central Health District and Macon-Bibb County Health Department is hosting a free health fair each Friday in October from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The health fairs will be held at the health department, 171 Emery Highway in Macon.

Free services such as: clinical breast exams, BMI screenings, blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, blood sugar/glucose checks, and HIV testing will be offered.  Vaccines will also be available for a fee or will be billed to Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia PPO, or a State Health Benefit Plan through UnitedHealthcare or Cigna.  

"The purpose of our health fair and breast cancer awareness event is to get the word out that there are services available to women that will provide free breast exams and mammograms.  I want women to know that Georgia's Breast & Cervical Cancer Program can provide these services to women who qualify," said North Central Health District's Women's Health Coordinator, Edye Tillman-Johnson. "Women need to know their bodies and realize that early detection is the key. I hope that from our health fair, every time these women think of the color pink, they will remember our program and what it provides."

The following services are offered through Georgia's Breast & Cervical Cancer Program: Breast cancer screenings and follow-ups at no or low cost to uninsured and low-income women 40 to 64 years old and women 35 to 39 with symptoms of breast cancer, cervical cancer screenings and follow-ups at no or low costs to uninsured and low income women 18 to 64 years and full coverage Medicaid for eligible women under 65 who have breast or cervical cancer and need treatment

For more information, call 478-749-0170.

-Story by DPH Communications