Press Releases

MONTEREY, CALIF. - In honor of October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Mammography Center of Monterey has lowered the price of mammograms for all uninsured Monterey County residents, including women and men. For $99, mammogram recipients can have piece of mind; however, note that in order to qualify, recipients must have a doctor to whom the Mammography Center can send results.

"It's very important for women over 40 to get mammograms. In this economy people are losing their jobs and their insurance and can't afford mammograms, so we want to help them by offering a lower price," said Mary Lou Catania, R.N., CEO of the award-winning Mammography Center of Monterey.

Another local health agency, Community Caregivers, an agency-employed caregiver company has teamed up with the Mammography Center of Monterey to offer its uninsured caregivers free mammograms at the Center. Community Caregiver's CEO, Margarite Alvarez will pay the $99 for her employees if they get their mammograms between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15.

"Many caregivers do not have insurance, and I feel so strongly about this test that I want to help those who help others. It is not a gift; it is a responsibility. I encourage other local companies to do the same for their uninsured employees," said Alvarez.

Alvarez was 29 years old when her mother was diagnosed with her first bout of breast cancer. "I began having mammograms each year since then and believe strongly in their help in detecting lumps, cancerous or not. My mother developed her second breast cancer 30 years later at age 70, and though it was advanced, the mammogram helped Dr. Bradley treat it effectively, and she lived breast cancer free until her death at 80 years old," said Alvarez.

"Each mammogram and breast examination has provided me a sense of security. If a lump does show up, it will be early and my chances of survival will increase tremendously. I believe in awareness in place of fear," she said.

### About Community Caregivers
Community Caregivers provides competent and compassionate in-home care. Our agency-employed caregivers are there to help a few hours a day, or for long-term care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We make sure all of our caregivers are thoroughly screened, background checked, trained, insured and bonded, and are professional and reliable. Our goal is to provide as much continuity of care as possible. Our Community Caregivers can provide a wide variety of services. Our Care Consultants will tailor a program that meets your individual social, safety, diet, and hygiene needs, and might include some of the following services.