Alarming breast cancer statistics prompt local advocates to conduct free screenings
Those alarming numbers are prompting advocates to bring potentially life saving screenings right to the community.
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Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, according to a 2025 study published by the National Library of Medicine.
They are also more likely to be diagnosed late and to develop aggressive forms such as triple-negative breast cancer, conditions that can be deadly without early screening and treatment, according to the study.
Those alarming numbers are prompting advocates to bring potentially lifesaving screenings right to the community.
"Unfortunately with it being picked up in later stages, there's difficulty for access," says Dr. Monique De Four Jones, with Northwell Health.
A Northwell Health mobile office was parked at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead on Monday.
Doctors and advocates also provided bilingual health education and direct access to care for women across Long Island.
Health advocates say this is event is all about access.
"Sometimes people don't have transportation to get to radiology centers or screening places, to get to providers, doctors to do exams," says Dr. De Four Jones.
About 50 people registered for the screenings.
Advocates say it's important to make the community aware.
"As someone who has had several experiences with health issues, I'm blessed to be able to have coverage to allow me to get things done but not everyone is able to do that," says Leah E. Watson, chairman of the Ivy Foundation Suffolk/Nassau Counties Inc.
Doctors at the mobile screenings say if anything is detected, they will help schedule patients into one of Northwell Health's mammography centers for further evaluations for free.
This is the second year of these mobile screenings and they hope to continue them in the future.
