Archives > The Sunnyvale View > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Hospital hosting third-annual Mammogram-a-thon
By Kenny Green, kgreen@acnpapers.com
One of the most important things a woman can have done in her lifetime is a routine mammogram; unfortunately a lot of woman will not have the procedure done. According to official at Texas Regional Medical at Sunnyvale, the most common excuse for not having the procedure performed is that women say they are too busy to schedule an appointment.
“Appointments for mammograms are necessary for ensuring good health,” said Darrin M. Casola, TRMC-Sunnyvale’s director of imaging services. “We don’t want inconvenience and expense to be reasons why women don’t receive mammograms they need. We have seen hundreds of women over the past few years, and have helped some who would not have known they had cancer if they had not had their mammograms.”
The medical center decided to do something to take away the excuse of being too busy and for the third consecutive year the medical center will host a mammogram-a-thon during the month of October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The events will be held from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12 and Friday. Oct. 26.
The medical center will offer mammograms at a reduced cost $99 throughout the month of October, filing necessary paperwork with each patient’s insurance provider.
“[We want] to offer low-cost, high-quality mammography to our community at an affordable price in a professional customer- focused setting. Education is the key to early detection, so we provide our patients with self-examination literature and a list of the most-common questions and concerns to help put them at ease,” Casola said. “If a woman receives notice that she needs further evaluation, our hospital offers the next steps necessary when many doctors' offices can’t. This process allows for a continuum of care and a safe process. Results are available the same day in most cases. If the patient has had a mammogram elsewhere, we must obtain the previous images for the most-accurate reading.”
The hospital will also host Mammogram-a-thon events from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 26, where women who receive mammograms also will be offered chair massages, gourmet coffee and snacks and giveaways.
To make an appointment for a screening during the mammogram-a-thon event, call 877-544-8762. Appointments can be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A screening mammogram only takes about 15 minutes, while a diagnostic exam can take up to an hour.
“Appointment slots will fill up quickly,” Casola said.
The American Cancer Society recommends women 40 or older receive screening mammograms once a year. Mammograms find between 85 and 90 percent of breast cancers, according to the American College of Radiology. That's why it's so important for a woman to combine an annual mammogram with monthly breast self-examinations and a physical examination of the breasts by her personal physician.
Women are also encouraged to perform breast self-exams.
Women at higher risks for breast cancers should discuss their options with their physicians. They may need to start mammograms at younger ages or require additional screening tests.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
