North Adams - REACH for Breast Health is offering a $10 gift certificate to a local supermarket to every woman who completes breast screening who has never had a mammogram, or who has not had one in over two years. Breast screening is recommended every year for all women over 40 and for younger women at high risk.
REACH provides free clinical breast exams, and will assist all women without health insurance in obtaining payment for a mammogram. In situations where further procedures are recommended following the mammogram REACH will also provide support in helping women.
Annual screening is essential in detecting breast cancer early when it is usually successfully treated. Both a breast exam by a qualified doctor or nurse, and a mammogram are important. Some breast lumps are found only on a mammogram, but not detected in a breast exam.
Other breast lumps are felt in a breast exam or by the woman herself, but cannot be seen on a mammogram. By doing both, women have a higher chance of having a potential problem detected. In the Northern Berkshire Area, it is estimated that only about 60% of the women who should get annual screening are actually getting the screening.
Ninety percent of all breast cancer occurs in women who have no family history of the disease. However, women who have had it in their families are at higher risk, and should start their annual screening at an earlier age. A woman would be considered "high risk" if her mother, grandmother (on either side), or daughter had breast cancer or ovarian cancer before menopause.
These women should begin screening when they are ten years younger than the family member was when diagnosed with breast cancer. "High risk" also includes women who have had pre-cancerous conditions identified in a breast biopsy, or have actually had breast cancer.
REACH for Breast Health is a program of the REACH Community Health Foundation and Northern Berkshire Healthcare, and is located at North Adams Regional Hospital. This incentive is made available through a grant from the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund. The program is also supported by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Massachusetts Affiliate, the Eileen Barrett Foundation, and private donations.
The effort to increase breast screenings through this program is a joint effort of REACH for Breast Health, the Mammography Department of North Adams Regional Hospital, and local physicians.
For more information on how to receive the gift certificate, please call REACH for Breast Health at 664-5170 or 664-5404.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program
DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
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