ESCANABA -- October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

According to health officials, one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

The Public Health Clinic of Delta and Menominee Counties is offering free screenings to women in underserved populations.

It's called the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.

Last year the Public Health Clinic saw 453 clients.

“It's very important to catch any kind of cancer early,” said program coordinator, Becky Walter. “To me, the screening programs are key."

Women between 40 and 64, who are uninsured or underinsured, are eligible.

Those who meet the criteria don't have to worry about financial barriers stopping them.

“So you know, you choose between, do I get my mammogram, do I get my pap, or do I get my prescriptions?" said Christine Cook, a Family Nurse Practitioner with the clinic.

According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Michigan women. In fact, last year alone, 1,320 women in the state died of this disease.

Women are more likely to get breast cancer after age 40, but there are exceptions.

“I have stage 2 breast cancer,” said Brookes Papineau. “I was diagnosed at 32 years old. I have to have a full mastectomy and my lymph nodes taken out under my arm."

Linda Romps is a breast cancer survivor.

“Because of early detection,” said Romps, “I didn't have to go through the extreme treatments that some people have to go to. So I feel pretty lucky."

The former nurse now owns U.P. Bras That Fit.

And she sells special mastectomy bras and breast forms.

Romps reminds customers that the best defense is early detection.

That's because 88% of women diagnosed will survive at least 10 years with early detection.