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Philly's Bebashi Holds 6th Annual Breastfest on August 12

by Winnie McCroy

EDGE Editor

Monday August 10, 2015

On Wednesday, August 12, join Bebashi for their 6th Annual Breastfest. This free event will provide services to women including mammograms, clinical breast exams, free giveaways, performances, guest speakers, and food and vendors.

"Women over 40 should get a mammogram once per year," writes Bebashi on their website. "Keep in mind that mammograms are quick, easy, and safe and use less radiation than a dental X-ray. If you are uninsured or underinsured and need help getting connected to care, we can help."

A Breast Self Exam (BSE) helps you become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel.

A thorough BSE can take up to 10 minutes. During a BSE, you should:

� Check for lumps, thickness, and other changes

� Check all over, including the armpit

� Lie down; it's the most effective way to feel your breast tissue.

Women in their 20s and 30s should receive a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) from a licensed medical provider once every three years.

The Our Bodies Program helps connect uninsured and underinsured women of color with essential breast health services, including: Free or low-cost clinical breast examinations, referrals, and mammograms, and support for women who experience breast health abnormalities, including breast cancer.

"Twice as many African-American women die from breast cancer than Caucasian women, although fewer actually get the disease," writes Bebashi. "Early screenings can detect abnormalities sooner and potentially save lives."

Bebashi also provides:

� Bosom Buddy Support. Volunteers are available to join you on your mammogram appointments and offer support.
� Transportation Assistance. Tokens are available for women who use public transportation to get to mammogram appointments.
� Breast Health Workshops. The Our Bodies Program provides free workshops on breast health.
� Educational Workshops & Health Fairs. Upon request, our Breast Health Coordinator conducts educational presentations, distributes learning materials at community sites, and addresses breast health questions and concerns.

For more information, contact the Breast Health Coordinator at 215.769.3561, extension 112, or at [email protected].

Bebashi's 6th Annual Breastfest will be held from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12 at Temptations Banquet Hall in Germantown, 218 W. Chelten Ave., in Philadelphia. For information, visit http://www.bebashi.org or https://www.facebook.com/bebashi



Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.