Free Mammograms Through Adventist Health Portland’s Lifesaving Screening Program

Program removes barriers to breast cancer care for individuals without insurance or the ability to pay

For many people in southeast Portland, preventive healthcare isn’t always easy to access, particularly essential services like breast cancer screenings. Through a community outreach program funded by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Adventist Health Portland has provided thousands of free mammograms over the past decade, ensuring access regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Early detection saves lives.

Breast cancer screening before symptoms appear can detect cancer at an earlier stage—when it's more treatable and survival rates are higher. For eligible people, Adventist Health Portland offers free mammograms as part of its commitment to providing equitable care. Individuals may qualify if they have no health insurance, cannot afford their insurance copay, meet income guidelines, and have a doctor who can order a mammogram. And if you don’t have a primary care provider, the hospital’s outreach team can help you find one.

“Many patients in our community face impossible choices between healthcare and basic necessities,” says Eleasa Norris, Imaging Services Manager at Adventist Health Portland. “This program eliminates one of those choices—ensuring that every person has the opportunity to receive life-saving breast cancer screenings.”

For Kim, a part-time worker without insurance, this program was a lifeline. With a strong family history of breast cancer, she’s prioritized annual screenings since age 30. When she learned she could access a free 3D mammogram at Adventist Health Portland, she didn’t hesitate. The service saved her hundreds of dollars and gave her critical peace of mind.

Adventist Health Portland is currently the only hospital in the city offering this service. Many people who live in southeast Portland and surrounding neighborhoods lack access to preventive care due to insurance insufficiencies or not qualifying for insurance at all. Through this program, patients can receive their mammograms for free by obtaining a referral from a provider.

Call today to learn more.

If you or someone you know may benefit from a free breast cancer screening, please call the outreach team at 503-251-6289 to find out if you qualify. The team can also assist in connecting you with a provider if you don’t currently have one.

Breast health should never be out of reach. This program is making sure it isn’t—and you can help keep it going by supporting the screening fund through the Adventist Health Portland Foundation.