The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $45,000 one-year grant to Codman Square Health Center to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer and provide mammograms for our community. It is the first time that Codman Square Health Center has received funding from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to support its work.

The Breast Health and Outreach Program at Codman Square Health Center will educate Dorchester area women and refer them for mammograms and clinical breast exams. This vital program will also allow Codman to closely track and follow-up with all its primary care patients who may need mammograms.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, 5,890 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Massachusetts this year and 770 lives will be lost. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as the Breast Health and Outreach Program at Codman Square Health Center help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even those who are underserved.

“We are proud that the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade shares our mission of providing for women’s health and has chosen to support our program. With these funds we will be able to expand our outreach to the community and provide women with the access they need to mammograms,” said Sandra Cotterell, CEO, Codman Square Health Center.

With a growing base of over 10,000 women patients, innovative women’s health programs have been a primary area of focus for Codman Square Health Center. Programs like fitness prescriptions to Healthworks Community Fitness and a variety of group visit programs like prenatal and parenting groups helps distinguish Codman’s unique care model. Codman Square Health Center is also known for Men of Boston Cook for Women’s Health, a fundraiser for the health center’s women’s health programs.

Since 1993, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has awarded more than 1,800 grants to community-based breast health programs across the United States, including the Breast Health and Outreach at Codman Square Health Center. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade awards funding to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based grassroots breast health programs to support breast cancer research and access to care. Many programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them to early detection screening services. Visit avonbhop.org for more information.

The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program is administered by Cicatelli Associates Inc. who supports community-based, non-profit breast health programs across the country. The Fund’s National Advisory Board selected the Breast Health and Outreach Program at Codman Square Health Center as one of 56 new grant recipients nationwide in the 2016 cycle of Avon Breast Health Outreach Program grants. These organizations were chosen based on their ability to effectively reach women, particularly minority and older women, who are often medically underserved.

For more information on the Breast Health and Outreach Program at Codman Square Health Center, call Eileen Boyle at 617-822-8147. To learn more about the Avon Breast Health Outreach Program, visit avonbhop.org.