Women's Health Network

Caritas Holy Family Hospital, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, offers a Women's Health Network program that provides free education and health screenings for qualified women who are between the ages of 40 and 64, have no health insurance or are underinsured, and are residents of Massachusetts.
We offer:

• education and screenings for breast and cervical cancer;
• self-breast exam instruction;
• information regarding breast health issues;
• blood analysis for total cholesterol, HDL and blood glucose;
• blood pressure and body mass index measurement
• health screenings to assess overall risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke;
• cancer awareness programs;
• physical exams;
• clinical breast exams;
• pelvic exams;
• Pap smears;
• mammograms; and
• diagnostic services, if needed.

We follow the American Cancer Society's recommendation for annual mammograms beginning at age 40, unless the woman has a family history of breast disease or breast cancer. We also recommend that women have a clinical breast exam between the ages of 20 and 40 and annually thereafter.

After an initial screening, we make referrals as necessary. We refer women to the hospital's Women's Health Center for pelvic exam- or Pap smear-related issues. For questionable or abnormal breast exams, we refer women to the Breast Cancer Center.

If you would like more information, please call the Women's Health Network at 978-794-9606 or 978-687-0156, ext. 4179.