Car Service Includes Free Breast Exams

Wed., Aug. 14, 1996

Associated Press

Motorists may be surprised to find mammograms being performed at a place better known for lubes and oil changes.

“You can tune up your body, while you’re having your car tuned up,” said Chris Bowdish, whose Lake Oswego Chevron station will offer 20 of the free tests, which can detect early-stage breast cancer, on Aug. 23.

“This might prompt some questions and give you that little nudge to have a mammogram,” he said. “Maybe this will send more women to their doctors.”

The actual exams, which usually cost $70, will be performed in a van staffed by medical personnel from Tuality Community Hospital.

The event is being held in conjunction with the Race for the Cure, a women’s 5-kilometer run that raises money for education, screening and national research into breast cancer. Similar races will be held nationwide.

Chevron is a sponsor, hence the offer of the free mammograms at a service station. But will women be comfortable in having such a personal test performed in an environment where greasy hands tear apart automobile engines?

“I can see where they might be a little leery on first impression, but I can guarantee it will be a very private and personal process,” said Marla Lee, the Chevron spokeswoman who came up with the idea for free mammograms.

The actual test takes about 10 minutes and results will be available in about a week. An additional 15 minutes is spent on education and counseling.

“The women who perform the tests take a lot of care to make sure the women who take the tests are comfortable,” Lee said.

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