October is breast cancer awareness month. On Wednesday, women can take an important step in the fight against the disease for free.

LaPorte Regional Health System is offering clinical breast exams at no cost, but you have to sign up for an appointment.

Here are the locations, times, and phone numbers to call:

• New Carlisle, 10 a.m. to noon
  (574) 654-7779
• Westville, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
  (219) 785-7021
• LaPorte, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
  (219) 362-2480

Health officials say this is step 2 of a three-step prevention process. The first step is a self-exam and the third step is a mammogram.