AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Thanks to a grant given to the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health last year, women in the Texas Panhandle can receive free mammograms.

The three-year, $1.6 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas has helped to launch the Access to Breast Care for West Texas, which provides free breast screenings for women with little or no insurance. 

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology Dr. Rakhshanda Layeeqr Rahman said more help is provided to these women than just the free screening.

"Our goal is to make sure we hook them up with resources, we help them out in whichever way we can," Dr. Rahman said.  "We talk to lots of foundation people who support cancer treatment.  So, we help them through the process so they don't bare the financial grunt of it and still get treated.  That's our commitment to them."

According to Dr. Rahman, mammograms have helped to secure the 97 percent cure rate of breast cancer, as they can detect the cancer in its early stages.  She strongly recommends women over the age of 40 get their yearly screenings.

"Mammograms save lives."

Free Breast Screening Sign-ups:

Oct. 15- Walmart at 3700 E. I-40, 9 a.m. to noon

Oct. 22- Walmart at 4610 S. Coulter Ave., 9 a.m. to noon

Oct. 29- Walmart at 5730 W. Amarillo Blvd., 9 a.m. to noon

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a Texas resident (top 26 counties) with proof of address

Citizenship not considered

Uninsured or underinsured

Photo ID

Income verification/proof of assistance