Grant to fund screening for cervical, breast cancer

The Bangor-Brewer YWCA has received a $75,000 grant to support a program of education and screening for breast and cervical cancer. The grant was made by the YWCA of the U.S.A. with financial support from the Avon Worldwide Fund for Women’s Health.

Area doctors, hospitals and community groups also are donating services. The goal is to reduce mortality from breast and cervical cancer, which kill an average of 230 Maine women yearly.

The program is designed to reach 145 women who are at least 50 years old and have no health insurance, according to Linda Morneault, director of women’s health promotion at the YWCA.

The program, called Encore Plus, will make a special effort to reach rural and Native American women. Transportation and child care will be available.

Services will begin in mid-November. For more information, call the YWCA at 941-2808.

The YWCA will continue to offer its 16-year-old Encore program, which provides support, education and exercise to women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.