Health Services

Breast health education and screening

The YWCA Women’s Health Program offers education, support and access to screening services to women in Marion and Polk Counties. We offer breast health presentations that stress the importance of early detection by practicing monthly breast self-exams, and receiving annual clinical breast exams and mammograms. We’re a great community resource for breast cancer awareness and education. Our extensive library is open to all.  We are supported in this work by a grant from the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund and individual donations.

For more information about the YWCA Women’s Health Program and the YWCA Women’s Health Resource Center, please call 503-581-9922 or email Jessica Ickes, jickes@ywcasalem.org.

Free clinical breast exams and mammograms

If you are uninsured, under-insured, or simply cannot afford annual exams, you may qualify for a no cost women’s health exam and mammogram through the Oregon Breast & Cervical Cancer Program. To see if you qualify and be referred to a local clinic, please call the YWCA Women’s Health Program at 503-581-9922.

Walk-in Hours for Women’s Health Program

Tuesdays – 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursdays – Noon-4:00 p.m.

Clients will be seen on a first come basis.

Free Breast Cancer Support Groups

YWCA Salem hosts free, monthly support groups for women in any phase of breast cancer. Click the link for hours, location, and additional information.  Click here to learn about our monthly support groups.

Breast Health Presentations

The YWCA Women’s Health Program provides breast health educational presentations to the community. There are many options for having a presentation at your location, and they are available in both English and Spanish.

Some examples include:

  • Lunch and Learn – Get a group of coworkers together during your lunch hour for a presentation.
  • Coffee, Tea & Me – Invite a small group of friends to your home or local coffee shop to learn about breast health.
  • Community Groups – Schedule a presentation during one of your monthly meetings to provide important breast health information to the members of your group.

If you would like to schedule a breast health presentation, please call the YWCA at 503-581-9922 or email Jessica Ickes at jickes@ywcasalem.org.

Breast cancer awareness

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 12,300 new cases of breast cancer will be detected in Oregon this year and 2,080 lives will be lost. Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death from breast cancer every 14 minutes. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as YWCA Salem’s Women’s Health Resource Center help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.

Community partners

YWCA’s Health Services program works with many community partners to provide education and support, screening services and awareness events to the community. Thank you partners for your caring and generosity.

How you can help

If you’d like to get involved with the YWCA Salem Women’s Health Program, we always appreciate both volunteers and donations.

Volunteers could help either in our YWCA Women’s Health Resource Center or during education or fundraising events for breast cancer awareness.

Donations, both financial and in-kind, are always needed and appreciated.  Did you know that just $60 pays for an exam for a woman that is uninsured or cannot afford the fee?  Your contribution could save a life.  Click here to donate.  Thank you for your support!