Don’t delay:
Screening Mammograms Save Lives
Courtesy of King’s Daughters Medical Center
Other than certain types of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer affecting women in the U.S. Statistics tell us that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Of these, eight out of nine who are diagnosed have no family history of breast cancer.
Since breast cancer is so prevalent, yearly screening mammograms are vital to catching the disease as early as possible, even before symptoms appear. If you’ve been putting off your mammogram, now is the time to schedule.
“Breast cancer screening is one of the most important things women can do for their health,” said Doretha Pridemore, RN, clinical supervisor of the UK King’s Daughters Breast Care Center. “We see many patients who have put off their screening. When it comes to saving lives, early detection plays a major factor. Do not wait.”
Screening mammograms are recommended to start at age 40 for those at average risk, and continue yearly. Women should discuss their personal risk of developing breast cancer, as well as the benefits of screening mammography, with their primary care provider to make a decision regarding what’s best for them personally.
3D Mammography
King’s Daughters offers 3D technology, which has been clinically shown to find 20% to 65% more invasive breast cancers than 2D mammography alone. “During a 3D mammogram, the machine does a sweeping motion across the breast and takes 1mm image slices of the tissue,” Pridemore said. These slices allow the radiologist to view each individual layer of breast, making it easier to detect abnormalities.
“With 3D mammography, you’re detecting things a whole lot earlier,” Pridemore said. “We are able to detect something as small as 2mm, which virtually might have gone unnoticed before.”
Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment
King’s Daughters offers genetic cancer risk assessment to help patients evaluate their individual risk of developing breast cancer, in addition to colon, lung, ovarian, pancreas, prostate and thyroid cancers. Genetic cancer risk assessment includes a thorough review of the individual’s family and personal history; DNA testing; and evaluation of DNA test results.
“Patients with a family history of breast cancer, particularly those whose relatives were diagnosed before age 50 or who have multiple affected relatives on one side of the family, may benefit from genetic testing to assess their risk,” nurse practitioner Eva Joseph, APRN, said.
Joseph guides patients through the genetic cancer risk assessment process. This includes advising patients on cancer screening and early detection options; cancer prevention and risk reduction; diagnostic and treatment options; and how to talk with family members about inherited cancer risk.
“Identifying your risk can be an important tool when it comes to prevention. If a genetic mutation is identified, patients will receive personalized recommendations for screening and medical management,” said Joseph.
Most insurances cover genetic cancer risk assessment and testing with low or no out-of-pocket costs for those who meet certain personal or family cancer history criteria. Physician and self-referrals are accepted.For more information, call (606) 325-2221.
Schedule your screening mammogram today!
3D mammography is available at the King’s Daughters Breast Care Center in Ashland, Ky., and at King’s Daughters Medical Center Ohio in Portsmouth. The King’s Daughters mobile mammography unit also travels throughout southeastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky, visiting schools, physician offices, workplaces, places of worship and more.
Nearly every insurance plan covers screening mammography at 100%. If you don’t have insurance, King’s Daughters has grants available to help pay for screening, as well as other services should they be needed.
A provider referral is not required for a screening mammogram. To schedule a mammogram, please call us at (606) 408-1111.
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