Breast Health - NYC Health + Hospitals

If you are over age 40, be sure to get screened for breast cancer. Talk to your doctor today about your personal risks, and how often you should be screened.

How do I schedule a breast cancer screening and mammogram at NYC Health + Hospitals?

Please call 1-844-692-4692 to schedule a breast cancer screening and mammogram.
You can see a doctor in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island.
If you already have a primary care doctor at a NYC Health + Hospitals or Gotham Health clinic or health center, they can help you set up an appointment for a screening and a mammogram.

Download our brochure: What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer

Warning signs of breast cancer

Some women have signs and symptoms of breast cancer and some women do not. Breast cancer symptoms may include:

**A new lump in** **the**
**breast or** **underarm**

**Redness or flaky skin in**
**the** **nipple** **area or** **the breast**

**Thickening or** **swelling**
**of part of the breast**

**A nipple that** **turns in**
or **becomes** **sunken**

If you have any of these symptoms, please tell your doctor immediately or call us at 1-844-692-4692 to set up a screening.

What age should I get screened for breast cancer?

Women aged 50-74 years old should be screened for breast cancer and get a mammogram every two years.
Women 40-49 and over 74 should talk to their doctor and decide whether to have breast cancer screening.

How can I find out if I have breast cancer?

A doctor will first speak to you about any breast cancer symptoms you might have.
After a physical examination, your doctor will determine if a screening test, called a mammogram, is necessary.
Mammograms are X-ray pictures of the breast that allow doctors to look for early signs of breast cancer.

What to expect during a mammogram

Your breast will be compressed between two plates for a few seconds.
The procedure does not hurt. You might feel some discomfort.
The X-ray machine uses very low doses of radiation to take pictures of your breast.
The entire procedure will last about 20 minutes.

COVID-19 safety precautions for breast cancer screenings

All patients and visitors must wear face coverings when they come in for a screening and mammogram.
When you arrive, we will check your temperature and ask if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Patients with a high temperature or fever will not be allowed in our buildings.
Registration areas and waiting rooms have been changed to allow social distance.
All of our doctors, health care staff and radiology technicians who perform mammograms will wear face coverings and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
We will clean all spaces and mammogram machines after each patient visit.

How much does it cost?

There are many ways to cover the cost of breast cancer screenings and mammograms. If you do not have health insurance, we can still screen you for breast cancer and give you a mammogram.

Most health insurances cover health screenings for breast cancer and mammograms. Depending on your health insurance, you might have a co-pay.
We can help you apply for health insurance. Call 1-844-692-4692 to speak to someone who can help you get health insurance.
If you do not qualify for health insurance, we can help you enroll in NYC Care. NYC Care is a health care access program that works like insurance. Learn more.

Reduce your risk of breast cancer

Living a healthy lifestyle from an early age can help reduce your chances of getting breast cancer. Here is a list of good habits to develop:

Eat healthy foods
Maintain a healthy weight
Get regular exercise
If you smoke, try to quit
Limit alcohol use
Breastfeed your children
Ask your doctor about the risks of taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills
Limit exposure to radiation from medical imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and PET scans