BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Friday, October 5th, 2007 -- 2:23 PM
Statistics show one in 8 women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Dr. Grace Cruz of Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville says early detection of breast cancer makes it much more treateable?
The American Cancer Society recommends all women have annual mammograms beginning at the age of 40, but earlier if there are strong risk factors.
"If you do have a high risk of developing breast cancer, you start annual mammograms at the age of 25 or 30," Dr. Cruz says.
Chris Ziegler is a radiology technician at Memorial Med. She says many women are worried about the discomfort associated with the test, but she says everyone is different and they have tips to make the process more comfortable.
Typically, a mammogram costs a couple hundred dollars and must be referred by a physician. This month, Ziegler says, Memorial Medical Center is offering reduced priced mammograms from October 22-26.
"In October we have our week where we do mammograms where readings and the test are $75," Ziegler explains. "With high deductibles, people are looking for specials like that and people can order it, otherwise we have to have a doctor's order to any kind of mammogram."
To schedule your mammogram, you can call Memorial Medical Center at 743-3101. Again the special runs October 22-26 and appointments can be made from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.