Breast cancers are more likely to be detected earlier with repeat screening. One mammogram is not enough. Beginning at age fifty (or forty based upon personal decision and family history), you need to start getting a mammogram annually. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, particularly a member of your family who was diagnosed at an early age (before age 50) you should consult your health care provider. You may need to begin getting mammograms at an earlier age.
It is extremely important for you to be screened regularly. If your doctor does not suggest a mammogram, ask for one. Your primary care doctor or your gynecologist can examine your breasts during your regular check up (clinical breast exam).. Clinical breast exams by a health care provider should be done a minimum of once every 3 years for women between ages 20 and 39 and more frequently for women with a family history of breast cancer (please consult your health care provider). After age 39, the clinical breast exam should be performed annually. If your health care provider does not perform a clinical breast exam, don't hesitate to ask for one.
Get to know your breasts; become familiar with what your breasts feel like. This is something you can do between doctor visits in order to determine if there is something new or different that you feel in the breast tissue. Examining your breasts does not always identify all dangerous lumps, especially ones deep inside the breast tissue, but it can identify many changes and it is free.
If you feel a lump, have discharge from the nipple or if there is any suspicious reddening or thickening of the skin on your breasts, be sure to report it to your doctor. 80% of all breast lumps are not malignant. Ask for a mammogram and ultrasound. In some cases a biopsy may be required to evaluate the lump. All of these tests can help determine if your suspicious lump is cancer. Be sure to request a written report from your mammogram and any tests that are performed. These will provide instructions to you about what you should do next, if anything.
Remember to get regular mammograms and clinical breast exams and get to know your breasts. If you cannot afford a mammogram, please take note of the following resources in the Los Angeles area that provide free or low-cost mammograms. You can call one of the following numbers for information. If you have a lump in your breast, please contact your doctor.
The Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) is a federal program is funded through Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) to provide free mammograms and pap tests to eligible women. The program's first priority is reaching women 40 and older. Here is a list of the BCCCP providers in LA County.
- The Center for Healthy Aging
2125 Arizona
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310/576-2554 - East Valley Community Health Center
420 South Glendora Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
626/919-4333 - East Valley Community Health Center
680 Fairplex Dr
Pomona, CA 91768
909/620-8088 - Koryo Health Foundation
1058 South Vermont Street
Los Angeles, CA 90006
213/380-8833 - Northeast Valley Health Corporation
1600 San Fernando Road
San Fernando, CA 91340
818/365-8086 - Northeast Valley Health Corporation
12756 Van Nuys Blvd.
Pacoima, CA 91331
818/896-0531 - The Venice Family Clinic
604 Rose Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
310/392-8630
The Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (BCEDP) is a state-funded program which offers free breast cancer screening services to women 40 and over who qualify. Women who qualify are referred to a local BCEDP provider in their area. Referrals are available in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-511-2300 (currently on hold in some locations until further notice).
Los Angeles County Services:
- Edward R. Roybal Comprehensive Health Center
Appointment Line: 323-780-2373
245 S. Setterly Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90022 - Del Monte Comprehensive Health Center
Appointment Line: 626-579-8463
10953 Ramona Blvd.
Del Monte, CA 91731 - H. Claude Hudson Comprehensive Health Center
Appointment Line: 213-744-3778
2829 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90007 - Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
1000 West Carson Street
Torrance, CA 90509
310/222-2345 - Hubert Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center
Appointment Line: 323-846-4070
5850 S. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90003 - Martin L. King/Drew Medical Center
Appointment Line: 310/668-3416
12021 South Wilmington Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069 - LAC & USC Medical Center
Appointment Line: 323/226-5112
1200 N. State Street, Trailer 21
Los Angeles, CA 90025 - Long Beach Comprehensive Health Center
Appointment Line: 562-599-8787
1333 Chestnut Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813 - Olive View UCLA Medical Center
14445 Olive View Drive
Sylmar, CA 91343
818/364-1555 - Valley Care Mid-Valley Comprehensive Health Center
Appointment Line: 818-947-4000
7515 Van Nuys Blvd.
Van Nuys, CA 91405
Other Low-cost & No-cost Breast Screening & Mammography Resources
- Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital
Cancer Detection Center
323 N. Prairie Ave. Ste. 160
Inglewood, CA 90301
310/674-7733 - Denise Roberts Breast Cancer Foundation
Centinela Medical Center
6201 Bristol Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230
310/337-0262 - Iris Cantor Center/UCLA
Breast Imaging Center
200 UCLA Medical Plaza #B-165-10
Los Angeles, CA 90095
310/794-1450 - The Los Angeles Free Clinic
8405 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323/653-1990 - Mission City Community Health Clinic (low-cost)
15206 Parthenia St.
North Hills, CA 91343
818/895-3100 ext. 621 - Queen of Angels/Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
1300 N. Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
213/913-4817 - Santa Monica - UCLA
Women's Imaging Center
1245 16th St. Ste. 110
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310/319-5164 - Venice Family Clinic
604 Rose Ave.
Venice, CA 90291
310/392-8636 - Women's Breast Center (low-cost)
2901 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 325
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310/829-2931
Associated with Mobile Mammography Screening, Inc. - Watts Health Foundation
10300 S. Compton Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90002
213/357-6577
Make Sure Your Mammography Facility is Certified
For a current list of certified mammography facilities in Los Angeles County, please call Cancer Information Service of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at 1-800-4-CANCER for a local referral.
LABCA is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping in the eradication of breast cancer through advocacy, education, and community involvement. Formed in 1992, LABCA serves all of Los Angeles County and the surrounding counties.
