Free Mammograms Offered At 6th Annual BreastFest In Germantown

By Hadas Kuznits

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Free mammograms and speakers about breast health were some of the highlights Wednesday at the sixth annual BreastFest in Germantown.

"Breast Fest is a celebration of survivors of breast cancer," says Gary Bell, Executive Director of the Babashi, "and a way to get women who may not have had mammograms to get free mammograms."

Bell says his organization partnered with the Fox Chase Cancer Center to offer free on site mammograms:

"BreastFest is part of a larger program that we've been doing which has been to go into the community and educate African-American women about breast health."

Shayna Mitchell, Babashi breast cancer awareness coordinator, says while the incidence of breast cancer is lower in African-American women versus Caucasian women, their mortality rate is higher.

"African-American women happen to find out they have breast cancer at a later stage," she says, "so because of that, it's much harder to treat."

That's why Mitchell says Babashi heavily promotes mammograms and self exams.

She reminds women that early detection is the best protection.

Philadelphia