SUBMITTED ARTICLE
KING CITY — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mee Memorial Hospital will be offering mammograms for women over 40 at a rate of $99.
Mee Memorial would like to build awareness within the community of the importance of being screened for breast cancer. Early detection is key in treating breast cancer and being able to live a whole and healthy life.
“We want to help you be aware, take charge of your health and take care of yourself. It is important for every woman to follow a program for good breast health,” said Lori Stevens, mammography coordinator at Mee Memorial Hospital. “Early detection of breast cancer can mean survival and a mammogram is the best way to find cancer early.”
When breast cancer is detected early, at a localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams, and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.
Breast cancer can be diagnosed through multiple tests, including a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI and biopsy. A mammogram is an X-ray that allows a qualified specialist to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas.
Mee Memorial strives to deliver the highest quality of care to the patients it serves by using the most advanced technology available. Digital mammography is quickly becoming the standard in breast imaging and is the best tool in early diagnosis, giving patients a much better chance of survival and leading a long, productive life.
“Get a mammogram and have one every year. Have a clinical breast exam by your healthcare provider every year and do your monthly breast self-exam,” Stevens said. “It’s important to ask questions and let your healthcare provider know if you find anything unusual. If not for yourself, do it for those who love you.”
Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. Staying at a healthy weight, being physically active and limiting how much alcohol you drink can help reduce your risk of breast cancer. Regular screening can often find breast cancer early when treatments are more likely to be successful.
For further information on breast cancer or mammography, contact Lori Stevens at Mee Memorial Mammography Center at 831-385-7130.
