PARAMUS, N.J. — Women without health insurance can get a free mammogram at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center through Oct. 31 as the Paramus hospital covers screening costs during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The hospital is also covering the difference in mammography costs for underinsured patients as part of its fifth annual “October is on Us” campaign.

The program aims to remove financial barriers that prevent women from getting screened for breast cancer, particularly those who cannot afford the cost of preventive care.

“It is no secret early detection can save lives, especially when it comes to a breast cancer diagnosis,” said Bergen New Bridge CEO Deb Visconi. “Our mission as a safety net hospital is to make sure all those we serve, especially the most vulnerable from underserved communities, have access to essential preventative care like mammography.”

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 9,510 women in New Jersey will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026, with approximately 1,160 expected to die from the disease.

Early detection can make a major difference.

Breast cancer diagnosed before it spreads has a five-year relative survival rate of more than 99 percent. That drops to 87 percent when the cancer spreads to nearby areas and 32 percent when it reaches distant parts of the body.

Cost remains a major obstacle to screening.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76.5 percent of women ages 50 to 74 had received a mammogram within the previous two years as of 2022. Among uninsured women, that figure was just 37.4 percent.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years for women ages 40 to 74.

Bergen New Bridge offers 3D digital mammography, along with breast ultrasounds and minimally invasive biopsies.

Women seeking a screening should have their doctor submit an order before their appointment and bring any previous mammogram images taken elsewhere, preferably on a disc.

Patients should arrive 30 minutes early and avoid wearing deodorant or powders, which can interfere with imaging.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, located in Paramus, is a 1,070-bed hospital and a clinical affiliate of Rutgers.

The free and reduced-cost mammography program runs through Saturday, Oct. 31.

For more information, visit newbridgehealth.org.