Free Coupons for Breast and Cervical Cancer Checkups
As it did last year, the Yokohama city government will send free checkup coupons to women eligible for this program. These coupons can be used to receive specifically designated cancer examinations arranged by the Yokohama city government free of charge. (The coupons are valid until March 31, 2011. Please be sure to receive checkups while the coupons are valid.)
Cervical Cancer Checkup Coupon (One Type)
Age |
Birth Date |
20 |
April 2, 1989, through April 1, 1990 |
25 |
April 2, 1984, through April 1, 1985 |
30 |
April 2, 1979, through April 1, 1980 |
35 |
April 2, 1974, through April 1, 1975 |
40 |
April 2, 1969, through April 1, 1970 |
Breast Cancer Checkup Coupons (One Each for Clinical Breast Exam and Mammogram)
40 |
April 2, 1969, through April 1, 1970 |
45 |
April 2, 1964, through April 1, 1965 |
50 |
April 2, 1959, through April 1, 1960 |
55 |
April 2, 1954, through April 1, 1955 |
60 |
April 2, 1949, through April 1, 1950 |
Please be aware that if you already received a cervical (or breast) cancer checkup arranged by the Yokohama city government on or after April 1, 2010, you cannot use the coupons to receive the same type of exam.
The institutions providing the checkups are crowded late in the fiscal year, particularly at the very end of the fiscal year, and it becomes difficult to make appointments. You are encouraged to make an appointment promptly and get examined so that the procedure will go smoothly.
| First, make an appointment for a checkup. Appointments become more difficult to obtain as the deadline approaches, and you might not be able to receive a checkup. |
♦ Cancer Checkup Procedure
1. Phone one of the medical institutions that provide cancer checkups arranged by the city government for an appointment and indicate that you want to use the free coupon(s) issued by the city government.
Please click on the link below to select a medical institution.
《List of Medical Institutions》
子宮 |
乳 |
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- Cervical cancer exams
Checkups are given at medical institutions with a circle () in the “子宮” (cervical) column.
- Breast cancer exams
Clinical breast exams are given at medical institutions with a circle () in the “乳” (breast) column. (A)
Medical institutions with a double circle () in the “乳” (breast) column offer both clinical breast exams and mammography. (B)
● There are two breast cancer checkup procedures (A and B) to choose from.
A.
(1) Receive a clinical breast exam (with a medical interview) at a medical institution with a circle ().
(2) Undergo mammography at a medical institution with a double circle ().
(3) The first medical institution (the one with the circle []) informs you of the results.
B.
(1) Undergo a clinical breast exam (with a medical interview) and mammography at a medical institution with a double circle ().
(2) The same medical institution (the one with the double circle []) informs you of the results.
Note 1: You can choose either checkup procedure A or B to suit your circumstances.
Most people opt for procedure B, so it is sometimes difficult to make an appointment for a checkup.
It is comparatively easy to make an appointment if you choose procedure A. In addition, procedure A offers the benefit of having the exam results explained to you at a medical institution that is relatively near your home.
Note 2: It is not possible to complete a checkup with either the clinical breast exam or mammography alone. Please be sure to use the coupons to receive both the clinical breast exam and mammography by the deadline.
Please be aware that even if you receive the clinical breast exam during the period the coupon is valid, if you undergo mammography after the expiration date, you will need to pay ¥680 out of your own pocket for the mammogram.
2. Go to the medical institution on your appointment date.
＊Please be sure to bring your free coupon(s) and some form of identification (health insurance card, driver’s license, etc.).
If you forget the free coupon(s) that day, you will not be able to receive the free cancer checkup.
3. Go through the medical interview with the physician and receive a checkup.
Refer to pages 6 through 9 of the pamphlet on women’s cancer checkups for information about the content of the exam.
4.Receive your exam results.
| Caution! ● If you exhibit such symptoms as blood loss during your cervical cancer checkup or if the physician deems it appropriate, you may need to undergo an endometrial cancer exam. Endometrial cancer checkups are not covered by the free coupons, so there will be an additional ¥1,260 charge in such instances. ● The items included in the cancer exams arranged by the city government are predetermined. Elective examinations (e.g., ultrasound examinations) are not covered by the coupons, and you will need to pay additional fees if you choose to get them.Furthermore, only cancer checkups arranged by the Yokohama municipal government are free with the coupons. Complete physicals, workplace medical checkups, and exams conducted independently by individual medical institutions are not free. If you wish to use a coupon, please be sure to confirm that you will be receiving the cancer checkup arranged by the city government. |
Regarding Coupons
| Q | I received a cervical (or breast) cancer checkup arranged by the Yokohama city government before the coupons were delivered. Can I use the coupons to receive the same cancer exam again? | ||
| A | If the previous exam arranged by the city government was received on or before March 31, 2010, the free coupons can be used to receive additional exams. If the checkup was received on or after April 1, 2010, you cannot use the coupons to undergo additional exams. If you receive exams more than twice in fiscal 2010, please be aware that you may be asked to refund the municipal government for the costs of the second and subsequent cancer checkups. |
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| Q | Can I give the coupons to family members or friends? | ||
| A | The coupons cannot be used by anyone other than the person to whom they were sent. Your identity will be checked against your driver’s license, alien registration card, or other personal ID when you receive the checkups. | ||
| Q | I lost the coupons. | ||
| A | Your ward office can reissue coupons if you have lost them. | ||
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| Q | My surname was changed. Can I use coupons that show my maiden name? | ||
| A | Yes, you can. When you receive the exams, bring the coupons that show your maiden name and some form of identification (health insurance card, driver’s license, etc.) that makes it possible to confirm your new surname and let the medical institution’s receptionist know that your surname was changed. |
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| Q | I have moved from an old address in Yokohama to a new one in the city. Can I use coupons that were sent to my old address? | ||
| A | Yes, you can. The medical institution will confirm your identity against some form of identification (health insurance card, driver’s license, etc.) that shows your name and birth date. At that time, please inform the institution that your address has changed. |
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| Q | I will be moving to (have already moved to) another municipality. Can I use coupons issued by the Yokohama city government at my new location? | ||
| A | Please inquire at your new municipal office. | ||
| Q | Can I use the coupons at a medical facility in a ward other than the one in which I live? | ||
| A | Yes, you can. You can receive checkups at any of the medical institutions shown in the list, even in wards other than the one in which you live. | ||
| Q | Please tell me about the content of the exams. | ||
| A | Cervical cancer checkup The test involves taking cell samples from the cervix and using a microscope to check whether there are any abnormal cells. Breast cancer checkup Breast cancer checkups involve two tests: a clinical breast exam and mammography. Please refer to pages 6 through 9 in the pamphlet on women’s cancer checkups for details. |
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| Q | I am currently undergoing treatment for a cervical (or breast) disease. Can I use the coupons to receive exams? | ||
| A | Women currently undergoing treatment are ineligible for cancer checkups arranged by the city government and cannot use the coupons. Undergoing treatment refers to a situation in which you are receiving regular examinations or taking medicine in accordance with a physician’s instructions. Please consult your physician for details. |
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