Thaís Neiva, coordinator of the Breast Cancer Prevention Program of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), will be assisting women in the Framingham area until August. She will be bringing an awareness of the disease and the importance of preventive exams.
Thais Neiva
“The chances of curing a breast cancer patient are much bigger if the problem is detected early,” says Neiva, adding that one in eight women risks developing breast cancer in her lifetime, according to American Cancer Society statistics.
MAPS’ Breast Cancer Prevention Program, funded by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Massachusetts Affiliate, not only educates Portuguese-speaking women, but also guides them through the screening and follow-up process.
“If the patient doesn’t have means to go to see a doctor, we offer them transportation to make sure they don’t miss their appointment and have their health conditions checked,” explains Neiva.
To contact Thaís Neiva or get more information about the Breast Cancer Prevention Program, please contact MAPS’ Framingham office at (508) 872-2652, or the main office in Cambridge at (617) 864-7600.
MAPS has provided health and social services to the Portuguese-speaking community since 1970. The agency has six offices throughout greater Boston, Framingham and Lowell. For more information, please visit www.maps-inc.org.
